Production Base of Chairman Mao’s Porcelain (7501 Porcelain)

Production Base of Chairman Mao’s Porcelain (7501 Porcelain)

The production base of Chairman Mao’s Porcelain (7501 Porcelain) is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

The “7501 porcelain” production base is located within the China Light Industry Ceramic Research Institute in Jingdezhen. The site consists of eight heritage buildings: the command center, art building, forming workshop, ware workshop, kiln house, kiln furnace, chimney, and white porcelain warehouse. Originally built in the 1950s, these structures feature blue brick walls and traditional wooden A-frame beams, with red glazed tiles on the roofs. The complex is grand in scale and scientifically laid out, forming a complete specialized production system for the research, forming, painting, and firing of “7501” porcelain.

In January 1975, the Ceramic Industry Science Research Institute of the Ministry of Light Industry in Jiangxi was tasked with developing a set of daily-use porcelain exclusively for Mao Zedong. The project was codenamed “7501,” from which the name “7501 porcelain” originates.

For “7501 porcelain,” rare Linchuan kaolin clay was selected as the material. The shapes were inspired by the exquisitely crafted “Zhengde Bowl” design from the Ming Dynasty, and the decoration employed the masterful techniques of “Water-Dotted Peach Blossom” and “Water-Dotted Plum Blossom.” According to Xiao Fabiao, a researcher at the Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute, “7501 porcelain” features fine body texture, dignified forms, smooth glaze, and exquisite patterns, representing the highest level of Chinese ceramic craftsmanship at the time.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units