Firing technology and physicochemical basis for porcelain from the Xing kiln in the late sixth century

The rise of porcelain industry in northern China and the subsequent emergence of white porcelain production during the Northern dynasties (386–581 CE) played a pivotal role in shaping the historical trajectory of Chinese ceramics. Xing kiln is one of China's earliest and most representative white porcelain kilns. Herein, we investigated 23 porcelain sherds from the Neiqiu Xing kiln site during the late Northern dynasties and the early Sui dynasty (550–600 CE) from the perspective of firing temperature, firing atmosphere, and microstructure using a dilatometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the early Xing porcelains were fired at high firing temperatures exceeding 1200°C with a reducing flame, and the adjustment of temperature promotes the emergence of early white porcelain. Moreover, the higher firing temperature of early Xing porcelain leads to the dominance of a glassy phase within the glaze, and the high bonding strength of the glaze and body caused by the body–glaze interaction layer formed with dense anorthite crystals. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the firing technology in the Xing kiln and even in North China during the late sixth century.