Carvedware "Ke ci" (porcelain carving) is a specific Chinese technique of engraving a design into an already glazed porcelain surface. It is artisan hand-carved porcelain art | Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage. In contrast, general carving in pottery is a broad term that refers to cutting into the soft, unfired clay body of an object, typically to create relief or incised patterns that become part of the finished clay structure after firing.
Here are the key differences:
Ke Ci (porcelain carving):
Material Stage: Performed on a piece that has already been fired and covered with a hard, glazed surface.
Technique: Involves using a knife or other sharp tools to carefully carve or engrave the design into the hard glaze, removing the glassy surface.
Result: A fine, detailed within the glazed art.
Carving in Pottery (General):
Material Stage: Typically done when the clay is in the soft, flexible greenware stage, specifically the leather-hard stage, before any firing or glazing has occurred.
Technique: Involves using various tools to remove material from the clay body, which can be done to create shallow incised lines, low-relief designs, or sculptural forms.
Finishing: The carved piece is then dried and fired in a kiln, after which it might be glazed and fired again. The carving itself forms a permanent part of the clay's physical texture and structure.
Result: The design is an integrated textural element of the clay body, which can be emphasized by glazes or left unglazed.
In short, "ke ci" is a specific post-glaze decoration method for porcelain, while "carving in pottery" is a broader term for a technique applied to unfired clay to create texture and form. See more Artisan Hand-Carved Porcelain Art | Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage