The Last Zenith of Fine White Porcelain in Northern China—Scientific Analysis of White Porcelain Excavated From the Huozhou Kiln Site, Shanxi Province

ABSTRACT The Huozhou Kiln, a significant production site of fine white porcelain in northern China during the Jin–Yuan periods, was analyzed using multiple analytical techniques on samples unearthed during the 2022 excavation. Our findings demonstrate that the porcelain bodies were primarily produced using high‐temperature fired, high‐alumina clay with minimum impurities, with potassium serving as the principal fluxing oxide. In terms of glaze formulation, the Huozhou Kiln primarily adopted alkali–calcium and calcium–alkali glazes composed of low‐iron, low‐titanium feldspar‐bearing materials, with the addition of plant ash. Feldspathic rocks likely contributed K 2 O and Na 2 O, whereas plant ash provided P 2 O 5 , CaO, and MgO. Thermal expansion and microscopic analyses indicated that the firing temperature exceeded 1300°C, confirming the high level of skill in controlling the firing process. With the depletion of high‐quality white clay and the cessation of fine white porcelain production at the Ding Kiln due to warfare, the Huozhou Kiln succeeded in inheriting and advancing Ding Kiln techniques. It became the sole kiln producing refined white porcelain during the Yuan Dynasty, marking the last zenith of northern China's fine white porcelain tradition. This study emphasizes the continuity and innovation in porcelain technology from the Ding to the Huozhou Kiln.