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While the imperial kilns at Jingdezhen are famous for their high-quality pieces, the Qing Dynasty also witnessed the rise of mass production techniques in porcelain manufacturing to meet the demands of both domestic and international markets. This period saw a huge increase in scale and efficiency. The need for more goods meant that new manufacturing methods had to be introduced. The use of molds became more widespread, allowing for the faster and more consistent production of porcelain vessels. Molds were used to create consistent shapes, allowing for a much higher level of output. This allowed production to increase significantly. It led to a wider availability of porcelain. The division of labor was also refined, with specialized workers performing specific tasks in the production process. This increased efficiency and productivity. The pieces were often produced on an assembly line process. Each artisan had a specific task to perform. This allowed production to become much more efficient. The use of mechanized techniques, such as water-powered grinding mills, also helped to increase the efficiency of porcelain production. Technology was adapted to streamline and speed up the production process. This was an important technological innovation for the time. This helped lower the cost of porcelain. The mass production techniques allowed for the creation of a wide variety of porcelain objects, including tableware, decorative items, and export wares, making these objects accessible to a broader range of consumers. It helped to meet a growing demand in international markets. This created a more accessible and affordable market for consumers of porcelain. In conclusion, while the Qing Dynasty was known for its exquisite imperial porcelain, it also witnessed the rise of mass production techniques that made these objects more accessible to a broader range of consumers, both in China and around the world. This marked an important step in the commercialization of porcelain. Mass production changed the entire structure of the market. |
Tag : Mass production, Qing porcelain, Ceramic industry, Industrial techniques, Chinese trade
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