Li Ximei 李细妹

Biography

Li Ximei (李细妹), also known as Li Xinhong (李欣红), is a contemporary Jian Zhan artist
from Jianyang, Fujian. She is part of the modern revival of Jian ware, a movement that sought to
recover and develop the techniques behind the famous iron-rich black-glazed tea bowls historically
associated with the Jian kilns.

Commercial and studio biographies commonly state that Li Ximei began experimenting with Jian Zhan
in the late 1980s and successfully developed modern oil-drop results in the early 1990s. Over time,
she became known for a range of modern Jian-style glaze effects, especially oil-drop and
partridge-spot surfaces.

Oil-Drop Research and Silver Oil-Drop Patent

Li Ximei is often connected with modern oil-drop Jian Zhan. While it would be too broad to credit
any one artist as the sole creator of modern oil-drop revival work, she is clearly one of the
notable revival-era makers associated with this glaze family.

Her technical work is documented in patent records. Patent CN108439953B,
titled Traditional Black-Glazed Silver Oil-Drop Jian Zhan Firing Method
(传统黑釉银油滴建盏的烧制方法), names Li Ximei as the inventor. The patent is associated with
Fujian Kaiheyao Jianzhan Culture Development Co., Ltd., reinforcing her connection
to Kaihe Kiln.

Kaihe Kiln 开河窑

Li Ximei is closely associated with Kaihe Kiln. This connection appears in studio
material and formal documentation, including the patent record. The initials KHY
seen on some certificates likely refer to Kaihe Kiln / 开河窑.

Notable Work: 万山可染

One of Li Ximei’s most famous works is Wan Shan Ke Ran (万山可染), a large
kiln-transmutation Jian Zhan piece that achieved major attention at auction. Reported at
RMB 26 million, it is one of the best-known sales associated with her name and is
frequently cited in modern Jian Zhan discussions.

Collector Example

The example documented here is identified as 鹧鸪斑, commonly translated as
partridge spot or partridge feather. The bowl shows a dark glossy
ground with pale, rounded spotting across the interior, forming a dense patterned surface that fits
well within the modern collector use of the term.

Certificate and Attribution

The accompanying certificate identifies the artist as Li Ximei and also includes
the art name Li Xinhong. The work name is given as 鹧鸪斑.
The certificate format also supports the bowl’s association with Kaihe Kiln.

As always, certificates and packaging are useful attribution evidence, but they are best considered
alongside provenance, purchase history, marks, workmanship, and comparison with other documented
examples.

Why Li Ximei Matters

Li Ximei occupies an important place in the modern Jian Zhan revival. Her significance comes not
from a single claim alone, but from the combination of documented technical work, association with
Kaihe Kiln, collector recognition, and the prominence of works like Wan Shan Ke Ran.
She remains a notable name for collectors interested in modern oil-drop and related Jian-style
glaze development.

References & Further Reading

1. 
   China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network — Jian Kiln Jian Zhan Firing Technique
   
2. 
   China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network — Sun Jianxing
   
3. 
   Archived Nanping Government notice — 2020 municipal-level ICH inheritors
   
4. 
   Fujian Provincial Government — Jian Zhan revival history
   
5. 
   Patent CN108439953B — Traditional black-glazed silver oil-drop Jian Zhan firing method
   
6. 
   China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network — modern Jian Zhan reporting and the 2017 sale of 万山可染
   
7. 
   Industry biography — Li Ximei’s research narrative
   

Research note: Where promotional biographies and official records differ, FSOC gives more weight to
government, ICH, and patent documentation.