Fuli Pottery

Fuli Pottery

Fuli Pottery is a protected geographical indication product.

Fuli Pottery is a certified geographical indication trademark.

　　Fuli Pottery originates from Fuli Village in Xiji Town, Zaozhuang, believed to be the hometown of Fuxi, one of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. With a history of over 5,600 years, it features "the forms of the Neolithic Age from primitive society, a strong flavor of the Han Dynasty, and characteristics of the Northern and Southern Dynasties." Experts praise it as "a rare and precious pottery artifact that has been passed down to this day."

　　 The folk pottery art of Fuli Village in Xiji Town has been passed down through generations, characterized by the forms of the Neolithic Age from primitive society, the rich styles of the Han and Northern and Southern Dynasties, and the influences of other art forms during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In 1978, Gan Zhiyou, the head of the town’s cultural station, rescued, excavated, organized, researched, and innovated on these traditions, which continue to this day. Fuli Pottery is divided into three major categories—ritual, ornamental, and daily use—comprising 39 varieties. According to excavations at the village’s Dawenkou Culture site and tombs from the Han, Tang, Ming, and Qing dynasties, the history of pottery production in the village spans 6,000 years, with distinct styles from each era clearly evident.

　　For thousands of years, Fuli Village has developed and formed its own whimsical and unconventional artistic shapes and decorative patterns, possessing certain archaeological value. In the winter of 1982, 600 pieces of pottery art across 39 varieties were exhibited at the 1982 Shandong Folk Arts and Crafts Exhibition held at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing. Within three days, they were completely sold out, causing a sensation in academic circles both domestically and internationally. Fuli Pottery has made its way to 21 countries and regions, and is collected by institutions such as the National Art Museum of China, the Chinese National Academy of Arts, the Japan Toy Museum, and the Japan Doll and Toy Research Society. It is hailed as a unique and independently developed art form among Shandong’s pottery arts, and is considered a rare pottery artifact that has survived to this day. It has been reported by multiple media outlets including China Central Television, China Culture Daily, and the US-based International Daily News. Works have been included in publications and specialized books such as The Dictionary of Chinese Plastic Arts and The Complete Collection of Chinese Folk Arts and Crafts by the Chinese National Academy of Arts, The History of Chinese Art: Ceramics Volume, and The Mythical Art of the Yellow River Basin published in the United States. Some pieces have been exported in bulk to the United States and showcased in Chinese folk art exhibitions touring Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and other countries. Among them, the Grand Lion won the Bronze Award at the first "China Folk Art Masterpieces Exhibition" hosted by the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China. Currently, innovative products such as the "Statue of Confucius," "Statue of Mozi," "Child’s Pillow," "Deity of the Dongyi People," "Western Zhou Buffalo Vase," and "Toad" have become popular travel souvenirs.

　　In 2009, Fuli Pottery was included in the Shandong Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage list, and is currently being nominated for the National Intangible Cultural Heritage status. In July 2010, 123 pieces of Fuli Pottery were selected to be exhibited in the "Folk Art Mastery" section of the Shanghai World Expo. Gan Zhiyou was honored to be invited to the Expo, where he represented Shandong’s pottery artisans during the event week, demonstrating the craftsmanship of Fuli Pottery to visitors on-site.

　　Fuli Pottery

　　The current administrative region of Fuli Village, Xiji Town, Shanjian District, Zaozhuang City, Shandong Province

　　Shandong Provincial People’s Government of Zaozhuang, Shanjian District, “Request for Applying to List Fuli Pottery as a Protected Geographical Indication Product,” Shan Zheng Zi [2010] No. 33; Enterprise Standard of Zaozhuang Fuli Pottery Research Association: Q/0400FLT001-2010 “Fuli Pottery”