JIANG Yimei ¹, ZHANG Maolin ¹, HOU Tiejun ¹, John Moffet ²

(1. Jingdezhen Ceramic University, Jingdezhen 333403, Jiangxi, China; 2. The Needham Research Institute,

Cambridge University, Cambridge CB3 9AF, UK)

Extended abstract:

[Significance] In 1964, Dr. Joseph Needham, a renowned British historian of science and technology, visited Jingdezhen during his third visit to China. This marked his only field study of the Chinese ceramic industry. Previous studies have largely focused on the macro framework of Science and Civilization in China, with limited attention to the primary field materials, particularly the manuscripts and images related to the Ceramics Volume, which have not been systematically interpreted. Based on Needham's Notes on Jingdezhen preserved at the Cambridge Needham Research Institute and Dorothy Moyle Needham's accompanying diary, this study uses multimodal documents and historical context to analyze the background, content, and academic value of Needham's investigation. Needham's visit not only provided essential support for the Ceramics Volume, but also deepened the Western understanding of Chinese ceramic technology. His cross-cultural perspective and method of technical knowledge revealed the interplay between traditional experience and innovation in the modernization of non-Western technologies, providing a new narrative framework for global ceramic technological history.

[Progress] Needham's field study in Jingdezhen encompassed site visits to major state-owned ceramic factories, interviews with local experts, and detailed observations of traditional ceramic production techniques. He documented various aspects of ceramic manufacturing, such as the differentiation between pottery and porcelain, the development of raw material formulations, and the innovations in firing techniques. His notes included diagrams and descriptions of kilns, such as dragon kilns and egg-shaped kilns, highlighting their evolution and efficiency improvements. Needham's wife, Dorothy Moyle Needham, also contributed detailed observations, particularly regarding the intricate processes of decorative techniques, such as underglaze and overglaze painting and the production of "linglong porcelain," which combines translucency with aesthetic intricacy. These findings illustrate the blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern industrialization in Jingdezhen during the 1960s, reflecting the city's adaptation to domestic and international markets.

[Conclusions] Joseph Needham's fieldwork in Jingdezhen holds foundational academic significance, while also providing new perspectives and pathways for the global dissemination of ceramic technology. His cross-cultural perspective and approach to technological translation highlight the complementary relationship between traditional knowledge and innovation in the non-Western modernization process. This offers a novel narrative framework for the global history of ceramic technology. Needham's detailed records on Jingdezhen's ceramic production processes, technological innovations, and industrial development have enriched Western scholarship on Chinese ceramic technology and provided key support for the writing of The Ceramic Volume of Science and Civilization in China. His integration of technology and cultural transmission within his research methodology, particularly his multi-modal documentation approach, established an important foundation for future research.

[Prospects] Needham's field study of Jingdezhen offers valuable insights for future research in global ceramic history. Future studies could integrate his findings with archaeological and material studies to validate and expand upon his observations. Additionally, revisiting Needham's field records with modern analytical techniques could offer new insights into the evolution of ceramic technologies in Jingdezhen. His work continues to inspire discussions on East-West ceramic technology interaction, emphasizing the role of technological exchange and cultural dialogue in a global context. Future research, utilizing contemporary digital tools for data analysis and visualization, could further deepen our understanding of Jingdezhen's ceramic technology, informing new approaches to the study of technological transmission and comparative studies in the context of globalization.

Key words: Joseph Needham's Jingdezhen Field Notes; Jingdezhen ceramic industry; history of ceramic technology; cross-cultural technology exchange