Lin Yuanfu 林远福
Contemporary Jian Zhan Artist · Jianyang, Fujian
Zhiqian Jian Zhan 芝谦建盏 · Glaze Research · Traditional & Contemporary Jian Ware
Lin Yuanfu 林远福
Artist Information
Chinese Name: 林远福
Location: Jianyang, Nanping, Fujian, China
Studio / Workshop: Zhiqian Jian Zhan 芝谦建盏
Practice: Jian Zhan forming, glaze development and firing
Documented Works:
Jinfeng Yulu 金凤玉露, Huibei 灰贝 and Chunyi 春意
Patent:
Inventor of a granted Chinese patent covering a Jian Zhan preparation
and firing process
About Lin Yuanfu
Lin Yuanfu is a contemporary Jian Zhan maker working in Jianyang,
Fujian, under the name Zhiqian Jian Zhan 芝谦建盏.
His work combines close study of traditional Jian ware with extensive
experimentation in mineral preparation, glaze layering, reduction
firing and kiln control.
An extended 2018 account of his studio practice describes him personally
selecting kaolin, grinding glaze minerals, throwing and trimming bowls,
bisque firing, glazing and closely monitoring the reduction stages
of the firing process.
That experimental approach is also reflected in his later patent work,
which documents a specific multi-layer glaze and firing process designed
to create overlapping crystalline and flowing surface effects.
Zhiqian Jian Zhan 芝谦建盏
Lin Yuanfu’s workshop is associated with the name
Zhiqian Jian Zhan 芝谦建盏.
A 2018 studio report places Lin Yuanfu at the Zhiqian workshop and
documents two kilns operating during the reporter’s visit.
The workshop name continues to appear in current official records.
In 2025, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration listed
Nanping Jianyang District Zhiqian Jian Zhan Ceramic Factory
南平市建阳区芝谦建盏陶瓷厂 among producers approved to use
the special geographical-indication mark for Jian Zhan.
This official geographical-indication authorization relates to the
workshop and its qualifying Jian Zhan production. It should not be
confused with an individual artist award or heritage-inheritor title.
Materials, Forming & Firing
Published reporting from Lin Yuanfu’s workshop gives an unusually
detailed look at his production process.
The account describes him selecting and preparing
kaolin and glaze minerals, then carrying the work
through throwing, trimming, bisque firing and glazing.
Particular attention is given to reduction firing. During the firing
observed by the reporter, Lin described a carefully timed sequence
of reduction stages using resin and resin-rich pinewood.
The report describes him weighing the fuel and recording changes in
temperature, timing and firing conditions in notebooks so that the
results of each kiln could be compared.
This documentation is useful because it shows his work as an
experimental process rather than presenting the finished glaze as
an unexplained kiln accident.
Patented Jian Zhan Process
Lin Yuanfu is the named inventor of Chinese invention patent
CN114907096B, titled
建盏的制备工艺, or
Preparation Process for Jian Zhan.
Filed
Published
Patent Granted
The patented process uses two glaze mixtures applied in layers before
electric-kiln firing.
The patent describes one group of pale, milk-white markings together
with darker gold-centered spots. As the two effects overlap and flow,
they create a strongly textured and visually layered glaze surface.
Unlike generic marketing descriptions of a maker’s technique, the
patent provides a formally documented example of a firing and glaze
process developed by Lin Yuanfu himself.
Study of Historical Jian Ware
Lin Yuanfu’s surviving promotional material places clear emphasis on
comparison with historical Jian ware.
One documented presentation places one of his finished bowls beside
excavated or collected ceramic fragments identified in the material
as Song-period glaze references.
The comparison appears intended to show similarities in glaze color,
flowing structure and surface character rather than to claim that a
modern bowl is identical to an archaeological Jian piece.
The original comparison photographs are preserved in the archive
gallery below so the material can be evaluated directly.
Documented Works & Glazes
金凤玉露
A named glaze preserved in Lin Yuanfu’s promotional archive,
showing pale blue-grey areas layered with flowing gold and
brown crystalline markings.
灰贝
A restrained grey-white glaze documented in his archive,
with subtle horizontal variation and a darker iron-rich rim.
春意
A named work discussed in a 2018 visit to Lin Yuanfu’s studio
and used as the starting point for an extended interview about
his making and firing practice.
Professional Titles Listed in Artist Material
A surviving Lin Yuanfu promotional profile lists the following
professional titles and memberships:
- Senior Ceramic Crafts Artist 高级陶瓷工艺师
- Intermediate Arts & Crafts Artist 中级工艺美术师
- Arts & Crafts Designer 工艺美术设计师
- Fujian Handicraft Master 福建省手工艺大师
- Fujian Arts & Crafts Notable Artist 福建省工艺美术名人
- Senior Technician / National Level One 高级技师（国家一级）
- Member of the China Arts & Crafts Association
- Council member of the Fujian Handicraft Association
- Member of the Jianyang Jianyao Jian Zhan Association
Research note: these titles are reproduced from artist promotional
material preserved with the archive below. Independent issuing-body
records were not located for every individual title, so they are
presented here as documented artist-profile claims rather than
independently verified credentials.
Lin Yuanfu Gallery
Jian Zhan pieces and collector posts associated with Lin Yuanfu.
Sources & Research Notes
This profile combines Lin Yuanfu’s surviving artist and studio
material with independent patent records, Chinese intellectual
property records and contemporary reporting from his workshop.
-
China National Intellectual Property Administration
2025 Announcement No. 615 lists Nanping Jianyang District
Zhiqian Jian Zhan Ceramic Factory among enterprises authorized
to use the protected geographical-indication mark for Jian Zhan.
-
Chinese Patent CN114907096B
Granted invention patent naming Lin Yuanfu as inventor and
documenting his two-layer Jian Zhan glaze and electric-kiln
firing process. Filed in 2022 and granted in 2024.
-
2018 Zhiqian Jian Zhan studio interview
Contemporary account documenting Lin Yuanfu’s material
preparation, throwing, trimming, glazing and controlled
reduction-firing practice, along with the named work Chunyi.
-
Lin Yuanfu / Zhiqian artist archive
Source for artist-profile titles, studio imagery, historic
shard comparisons, Jinfeng Yulu 金凤玉露 and Huibei 灰贝.
The complete six-image archive is preserved above.