Biography

Cai Long (蔡龙), born in 1977, is a Jian Zhan artist from Nanshan Village in Shuiji, Jianyang, Fujian. He grew up in one of the historic centers of Jian ware production, surrounded by local clay, kiln sites and ceramic-making traditions.

He studied ceramic design and craft and later trained in Jian Zhan firing under Wu Lizhu (吴立主). Public biographical records place his systematic study of Jian Zhan in the 2000s, when he developed experience across body preparation, throwing, trimming, glaze formulation and firing.

In 2016 Cai established Nanping Jianyang Shuimujian Jianzhan Ceramics Co., Ltd. (南平市建阳区水木间建盏陶瓷有限公司), developing Shuimujian from a workshop practice into a broader ceramic studio associated with production, research, teaching and cultural presentation.

Baihua Zhan · 百花盏

Cai Long is most closely associated with 百花盏 (Baihua Zhan, “Hundred Flowers Bowl”), a contemporary Jian Zhan surface built from elongated oil-spot crystallization that radiates outward in petal-like formations.

Published accounts describe a long period of experimentation in which Cai adjusted glaze, temperature and firing time until the oil-drop markings began to stretch into flower-like structures. After the first successful petal effect appeared, he continued refining the process until the pattern became stable and repeatable.

The visual language of Baihua Zhan is especially effective on broad douli-shaped bowls, where the crystalline pattern can open from the center toward the rim. Against a black ground, the pale metallic markings can resemble chrysanthemums, peonies or layered petals without being painted decoration.

Glaze Research & Firing

Cai’s practice combines traditional Jian ware materials with controlled contemporary firing. His work is rooted in iron-rich Jian bodies and mineral-based glaze systems, while kiln temperature, atmosphere and cooling determine the crystalline pattern that emerges.

Beyond Baihua Zhan, published profiles associate his earlier practice with hare’s-fur, oil-spot, partridge-spot, iron-rust and Yaobian-inspired surfaces. He has worked with both electric kilns and traditional wood firing, including dragon-kiln firing associated with Shuimujian.

Patent · 百花油滴建盏

Cai Long is the inventor named on Chinese invention patent CN110395970B, 《百花油滴建盏的制备工艺》, a preparation and firing process for Baihua oil-drop Jian Zhan.

The application was filed in 2019 and granted in 2021. The patented process describes a two-layer glaze system and a controlled firing sequence designed to produce elongated petal-shaped oil-drop markings that radiate from the center of the bowl toward the rim.

The patent is especially valuable because it documents Baihua Zhan not only as a visual style but as a developed firing process connected directly to Cai Long.

Recognition

Cai Long is listed by Jianyang authorities among the region’s Fujian Provincial Arts & Crafts Masters. He is also recognized as a municipal representative inheritor of the Jian kiln / Jian Zhan firing tradition.

In 2024, Fujian authorities formally approved his qualification as a Senior Arts & Crafts Artist (高级工艺美术师). Other public honors associated with his career include Fujian Gold Craftsman recognition and Nanping Model Worker.

His Baihua series has received repeated competition recognition. Documented examples include 百花盏（初心）, 百花盏（银菊） and 盛夏百花盏, while works from the series have entered institutional collections.

Teaching & Transmission

Cai has also trained younger makers as part of his role in the continuing Jian Zhan tradition. Shen Yuanwang 沈元旺 identifies Cai Long as a teacher in his Jian Zhan lineage.

Marks & Identification

Pieces attributed to Cai Long should be evaluated through the complete vessel together with any maker mark, Shuimujian packaging, certificate and provenance. The Baihua pattern is strongly associated with Cai’s work, but glaze appearance alone should not be treated as definitive authentication.

References