About the Artist: Lai Xiaobo (赖晓波)

Hometown: Shuiji Town, Jianyang District, Nanping, Fujian Province, China

Craft Focus: Jian Zhan teaware using local clay, iron-rich glaze, raw mineral materials, and traditional wood-fired techniques

Specialization: Dragon Kiln (柴烧) wood firing, ancient glaze styles, and classic Jian ware effects such as rabbit’s fur and oil-spot

Biography

Born in Shuiji Town, a historic center of Jian Zhan craftsmanship, Lai Xiaobo was immersed in ceramic culture from an early age. Inspired by his ancestral connection to pottery, he developed a deep love for the textures and forms of Jian ware while growing up among the kilns of Jianyang.

Over many years of practice, Lai mastered each stage of production — from clay blending and wheel throwing to glaze formulation and kiln firing. He insists on using only natural ore glazes and original local clay to uphold the purity and authenticity of traditional Jian ware.

In 2013, under the personal guidance of his father, Lai began producing works in classic Jian Zhan glaze styles, including 兔毫 (hare’s fur), 银毫 (silver streaks), and 油滴 (oil-spot). These pieces were met with widespread praise from tea lovers and ceramic collectors alike for their rich texture and striking visual depth.

By 2018, he had turned his focus to the ancient art of wood firing using a traditional dragon kiln — one of the most demanding yet rewarding firing methods. This technique imparts natural, flame-formed effects that can’t be reproduced with modern electric or gas kilns. Through experimentation and deep study, Lai has developed a mastery of fire control and kiln placement, creating pieces that feel alive with nature’s mark.

Legacy and Studio

Lai Xiaobo currently operates his own studio in Jianyang, where he continues to push the boundaries of traditional craftsmanship. His kiln is part of a broader local movement to revive the ancient wood-firing traditions, supported by Jianyang’s ceramic heritage community. He is also connected with the Siyang Ceramic Workshop (思阳建盏陶瓷工作室), contributing to cultural preservation through teaching and exhibitions.

His works have been showcased and sold through both domestic and international platforms, including artisan markets and collector auctions. Each piece bears the hallmarks of authenticity — from raw materials and glaze chemistry to the unpredictable alchemy of wood-firing — making his teaware not only collectible, but also deeply rooted in the living tradition of Jian ware.

“Every firing is a dialogue with the fire… and every cup, a quiet echo of the Song Dynasty.”