Clay, mineral glaze and fire—from the rooflines of imperial China to the pieces of FEYI ARCHIVE.
Liuli ceramic begins with clay, not molten glass. FEYI ARCHIVE works with the tradition of architectural Liuli: glazed ceramic historically made for palace roofs, ridge beasts, temple details and protective figures.
A Historically Architectural Ceramic
Before it entered the interior, Liuli ceramic belonged to the roofline. Its glazed tiles, dragons, flowers and guardian beasts gave important buildings color that could be read across a courtyard. These were not ornaments applied after construction. They were architectural components, joining material function with symbols of rank, protection and order.
More Than Twenty Procedures
A Liuli ceramic piece generally takes more than ten days and passes through over twenty procedures. Clay is prepared, formed and dried before its first firing. Mineral glaze is then applied for a second firing, when color fuses to the ceramic body.
Glaze gathers in carved channels and thins along raised edges. This gives each scale, leaf and wave its visible depth.
Protected at the Highest National Level
In 2008, the Mentougou tradition of Liuli Firing Craftsmanship was entered in the National List of Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of China—the highest level of official recognition for a living traditional craft within the nation’s heritage system.
FEYI ARCHIVE pieces are produced by the project’s officially designated protection unit.
Recognition panel:
- National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China
- Liuli Firing Craftsmanship
- Project VIII-90
- Mentougou, Beijing
- Inscribed in 2008
What the Kiln Leaves Visible
Imperial Gold deepens toward amber in recessed areas. Emerald Green and Celestial Blue gather around scales, leaves and wave bands, while Opaline Ivory catches the highest points.
Fine crackle, glaze pooling and tonal variation are results of manual glazing and kiln conditions. They are not printed effects, and separate firings do not produce identical surfaces.
A Living Material
FEYI ARCHIVE brings this architectural material down from the roofline and into close view. We select objects made within the recognized Mentougou lineage, identify their origins and explain the symbols built into their forms.
This is not imitation antiquity. It is a protected craft still being practiced.
