Ruyao was born in the late Northern Song Dynasty. Song Huizong, a pure and inaction Taoist, made an imperial edict that year: "Rain breaks the sky, and the future is like others." He tried his best to make the sky blue when it rained in Chuqing. However, the Song Dynasty was quickly destroyed by the Jin people, and Ru Ci's shooting skills were also lost in the war. Therefore, the beautiful Song Dynasty Ru kiln firing technology is like a flash in the pan. Less than twenty years ago, there were only a hundred genuine Ru kilns circulating in the world.
Every boutique should be copied. Later generations tried to burn Ru Ci, but most of them were rough, which was far from the authentic Ru Ci in the Northern Song Dynasty. Including the official kilns and Ge kilns in the Southern Song Dynasty, which were imitated at that time, but they can only be described by image rather than spirit. Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty loved Ru Ci too much, among which Ru Ci copied in Yongzheng period was the best.
In other words, the Ru kilns fired after the Northern Song Dynasty are all imitation Ru kilns. With the passage of time, it is only reflected in the continuous improvement and promotion of imitation skills. The production of Ru Ci should go through raw material selection, crushing, sizing, magnetic separation, mud formation, mud training, mud storage, mud kneading, embryo drawing, embryo drying, embryo trimming, embryo wiping, plain firing, glaze adjustment, glaze application, glaze trimming, glaze drying, kiln loading, ignition, furnace temperature control, kiln fuel burning, fire observation, cease fire and film opening.
Because the mud used for firing Ru Ci is naturally mined, it is difficult to ensure the material composition of the mud, although it is detected by modern instruments; In different climatic conditions, temperature, moisture and particles in the air are all factors that affect the ignition of Ru Ci. In addition, if the temperature of the firing kiln is not strictly controlled, it will also have a great influence on the glaze color of Ru Ci after firing.
Modern Ru kiln production is supported by brand-new science, technology and equipment, and Ru Ci treasures can be compared with Ru Ci in Song Dynasty. When we judge whether an item has collectible value, we should look at several points, namely "beauty", "rarity" and "beauty".
"Qiao": the porcelain that entered the kiln was auctioned at a sky-high price, which had an impact on the collection industry, and the price of "Qiao" goods had great potential for rising; "Rare": Due to the complexity and arduousness of Ru Ci firing process, there are many uncontrollable factors. Therefore, there is a saying that "ten kilns and nine can't", and the fine porcelain that can be produced in one kiln is rare; "Beauty": Ru Ci's emerald azure glaze, fragrant gray tires and natural blooming.
Of all the porcelains in the Song Dynasty, Ru Ci was the most difficult to copy. With such strict technical requirements, the manufactured Ru Ci must be a treasure. Today, Ru Ci's production is no longer the exclusive privilege of the royal nobility. There are many brands that make Ru Ci in modern times, such as Xiao Fang, Qinglian and Baicai, so that every ordinary person can choose to own one or a set of Ruyao porcelain. As for how to judge the modern imitations of Ru Ci's works, it's a matter of opinion. I'll see them myself and I won't know until I touch them.