Sacrificial red porcelain, that is, ruby red porcelain, must be high-temperature colored porcelain.
This kind of porcelain is fired by adding a newly discovered natural "Purple Ying Porcelain Ore" in highland areas.
Since this ore contains metallic copper and high manganese elements, during the paper burning process, it undergoes reduction and oxidation flame calcination at 1380°C, and then enters the silicate crystals to form a gem-like structure.
Because its color is crystal clear and jade-like, with a pinkish tint, similar to the color of ruby, this kind of porcelain is called "ruby red porcelain".
Therefore, firing this kind of ruby red is really simple, but if it is not simple, it is really not simple.
Especially when combined with blue and white materials and fired with red underglaze, it is even more difficult.
Even if ruby red porcelain is fired alone, it will be difficult to successfully fire it if only purple porcelain ore is added.
In fact, the most important thing is the formula and firing process of the copper red glaze.
If you cannot master these two techniques well, no matter how much ore you add, it will be impossible to produce ruby red porcelain.
Thinking of this, Chen Wenzhe simply used the copper red glaze he had just prepared to make several small ruby red bowls.
If the triangular cup was not suitable for being made in pink, he would have the urge to dye the triangular cup red.
Several small cups and bowls were all glazed with copper red glaze. Chen Wenzhe opened a small electric kiln again and fired them.
This is the advantage of having a factory. There are people helping Chen Wenzhe do many things.
Of course, modern technology has also greatly liberated manpower.
For example, these small electric kilns have a small window that allows them to see the firing conditions inside, and it is more convenient to control the temperature.
Otherwise, Chen Xingchen would be the only one guarding the electric kiln, and it would really be hard to see.
After closing the kiln, Chen Wenzhe personally watched the temperature changes in the kiln and began to adjust the temperature continuously.
He did not avoid Chen Xingchen in these matters, and Chen Xingchen also watched carefully and recorded some data in a tacit understanding.
It turns out that in Professor Tao's studio, Chen Wenzhe taught Chen Xingchen some skills and experience when he was burning the kiln at night. Not to mention that now that Chen Xingchen has defected to him, Chen Wenzhe has no reason to be self-conscious.
"The most important thing is that during the initial temperature rise, copper ions begin to volatilize at 800 degrees. If all volatilizes away, the firing will definitely fail, so you must be very careful during the initial temperature rise."
Seeing the temperature rising step by step, Chen Wenzhe had to remind Chen Xingchen.
Chen Xingchen obviously also knows about copper red glaze, after all, he is also Professor Tao's favorite disciple.
Chen Wenzhe still admired Professor Tao's way of looking at people.
Therefore, in principle, Chen Xingchen is his biological senior brother, otherwise, Chen Wenzhe would not trust him so much.
"I understand, don't worry, I still have the necessary skills, but Professor Tao's expertise is not in this area!"
Chen Wenzhe nodded. Professor Tao's major is multicolor, pastel, blue and white, and doucai.
As for the type of porcelain, he is definitely best at revolving bottles. However, if he can make revolving bottles, is it difficult to make other porcelains?
The main reason is that Professor Tao does not involve the use of copper red glaze, so Chen Xingchen cannot learn relevant knowledge by following him.
In fact, there are many difficulties and difficulties in firing copper red glaze.
Generally, red glaze is red glaze porcelain using high-temperature copper as colorant.
Although red-glazed porcelain has been successfully fired since the Yuan Dynasty, the glaze color of the porcelain in the early stages was mostly darker.
It was not until the Yongle and Xuande periods of the early Ming Dynasty that the Jingzhen Kiln produced pure and bright red glaze, which was called bright red by its predecessors.
It uses copper as the coloring agent and is fired at high temperature in a reducing atmosphere.
Because it is particularly sensitive to temperature and atmosphere requirements, if you are not careful, you will not get a pure red color.
Therefore, high-temperature copper red glaze is the most difficult color glaze to be fired, and the finished product has always been cherished.
This kind of red glaze ware has thick glaze and bright color.
Because it was a utensil used in the altar for worshiping the sun at that time, it was also called sacrificial red, and also had other names such as accumulated red and ruby red.
The Xuande Dynasty was the most glorious period for the production of red glaze wares in the Ming Dynasty.
During the Xuande period, the number of red glaze products not only increased significantly, but also outperformed Yongle bright red glaze wares.
Xuande red glaze is rich in color, and often at the corners of the objects, fetal bones appear and white veins appear, adding to the changes in the viewer's vision, which is thought-provoking.
The red-glazed porcelain of later generations did not have the Yongxuan red-glazed porcelain craftsmanship. After that, this craftsmanship was lost and was not restored until Kangxi.
But after the Kangxi period was restored, could it be passed down to modern times? Will modern people be able to make it?
Not really, at least apart from Jingzhen, there aren’t many other places that can burn red wine to offer sacrifices.
If it weren't for these reasons, Chen Wenzhe really wouldn't want to use copper red glaze as the main glaze.
The reason for this is that it is difficult to burn paper, so the number of copper-red glazed porcelain on the market will be small, the price will be high, and the competition will be small.
The kiln temperature rose, and Chen Wenzhe returned to the workbench again.
Pure ruby red is not Chen Wenzhe's pursuit. His pursuit has always been the more difficult blue and white underglaze red.
Ruby red is so difficult to fire, but what about blue and white underglaze red? It stumps many people.
But Chen Wenzhe likes this kind of porcelain. Others can't, or find it difficult to burn paper, so he has the opportunity.
"By the way, how much did the blue and white underglaze red peony vases cost?"
To make ruby red porcelain, Chen Wenzhe couldn't help but want to make a peony bottle, because the color of peony really expresses the characteristics of ruby red.
"I definitely didn't insult you. Guess how much it sold for?"
Seeing Li Jinli's proud look, Chen Wenzhe was speechless. If he could guess, why should he ask him?
However, judging from his appearance, the price should be quite high.
Ordinary teapots can be sold for 50,000 to 60,000 yuan, but the pair of peony bottles he carefully made must be sold for more than 100,000 yuan, right?
"Two pieces of three hundred thousand?" Chen Wenzhe guessed.
If it was really 300,000 for a pair, he really wouldn't mind making a few more pairs. After all, it's not just a waste of money, right?
"You underestimate yourself too much, you can do more!" Li Jinli was even more proud.
Why does he like to stare at Chen Wenzhe? Let him make more good things?
Of course, it’s also for lunch and selling other things. Where can I make money by selling Chen Wenzhe’s works?
You know, until now, Chen Wenzhe has not been paid a monthly salary, but only a sales commission, and it is a pure profit commission.
In other words, after deducting the cost and various expenses of each item, only one percent of the net profit belongs to Li Jinli.
Relatively speaking, works by Chen Wenzhe that cost little are the best products, especially those that can sell for high prices.