Foshan Nanfeng Ancient Kiln

 

Nanfeng Ancient Kiln(the old porcelain fumace, 南风古灶) as the source of pottery culture of Foshan, founded during the reign of Emperor Zhengde in Ming Dynasty (1506-1521), is a surviving furnace in use over 500 years, which is certainly uncommon in China for its sticking to burning pottery up to now. It is the Chinese most ancient dragon kiln. Currently, Nanfeng Ancient Kiln therefore lists as the key unit of historical and cultural relics under the Guangdong province-level protection. 

According to the historical record, Foshan Pottery Base formed in Tang and Song Dynasties and popularized in Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Dragon Kiln played a main role among the kilns of Shiwan Town. Such a kiln is always built against a hill and winds its way along the slope, resembling a gigantic dragon. Now the Nanfeng Ancient Kiln is the most ancient one of three existing Dragon Kilns. Interestingly, visitors who come here can make pottery by themselves when visiting the working procedures of making pottery in Nanfeng Ancient Kiln. 

Thanks to its long history, Foshan is largely glorified. Although production has never stopped, the antique kiln is well preserved. It is indeed rarely seen in China or the rest of the world, and the kiln is considered as a 'live cultural relic'. The mouth of the ancient Nanfeng Kiln faces south and the giant banyan trees make a pleasant shade at the end of the kiln. 

In summer, there is always good breeze; therefore, the kiln gets its name 'Nanfeng' which means south wind. It is really a wonder that the over 400-year-old banyan tree can survive in such high temperature and infertile land. 

Watching the process of making pottery is rather interesting. When timbers are put into the kiln, the burning kiln looks like a firedrake falling from heaven and the temperature can reach to 1,300℃ (2,372 F). In the Nanfeng Kiln, the traditional pottery making techniques live on. Temperature control is practiced by the skilled workmen according to their experience instead of modern apparatus. It is astonishing that each piece of pottery made is unique even if they come from the kiln at the same time. The instability of temperature of the wood-burning kiln brings in the variety of the products and some of them are rare and precious. As the birthplace of Pottery culture of Foshan, Nanfeng ancient kiln undoubtedly is the most important historical relic and cultural site. 

Nanfeng Ancient Kiln in the past many years was non-stop reconstruction meanwhile used for production. Additionally, the current chimney was added in modern times.
 
There is another surprising scene of Nanfeng Ancient Kiln----Wind of Banyan Tree near to Ancient Kiln. On one side of Nanfeng Ancient Kiln, there was a gigantic ancient Banyan Tree. It is said this banyan tree has experience four hundred years. It is really a miracle that this banyan tree grows up in such a barren land. The roots of Banyan tree cross one another on the stone wall of Nanfeng Ancient Kiln. Near to Banyan Tree, there is a stone-made plate with the inscription of Four Chinese Characters"古灶榕风".