During the early 15th century, Zheng He's voyages to the Western Seas facilitated friendly exchanges between China and various countries in Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and East Africa. These countries sent envoys bearing tribute to China, and among these tributes were gifts from Sumatra.
According to the records of the Ming Hui Dian, these tributes included cobalt blue and azurite. They played an important role in the production of blue and white porcelain at that time, serving as imported materials for creating blue pigments.
In archaeological research, the term "Sumatra-teal" refers to high manganese and low iron cobalt materials originating from ancient Sumatra Island and South Bohori (modern-day Sumatra Island in Indonesia).
In the period of the Republic of China, when the Qing dynasty had already collapsed, and the Aisin-Gioro imperial family was fragmented. Due to historical reasons, this surname became a taboo, and many members of the imperial family changed their surnames. Among them, there was one who changed his surname to Lang. In the Shanghai French Concession at that time, he established a pottery workshop called "Langshi Taofang" and invited renowned pot-makers from Yixing such as Feng Guilin, Wu Yungen, and Jiang Yanting to reproduce purple clay teapots for him.
At the same time, he also invited a ceramic enthusiast from Germany to the workshop to create templates and molds specifically for making purple clay teapots and firing ceramics. This Germany developed a strong interest in Chinese pottery and ceramics, especially captivated by the unique properties of purple clay and the special ingredients used in blue and white ceramics. It was his enthusiasm for learning that drove him to take on this work.
Driven by his interest, this gentleman began experimenting with glaze formulation. On one occasion, he had the idea of adding Sumatra materials from the blue and white pigments to the local Mount Ben Shan green clay. After several trials, he successfully produced the earliest version of "Republican Green". This unforgettable "Republican Green," which later became highly sought after, originated from the hands of a Germany. It is unknown whether he was filled with surprise and joy at the time, but everyone who saw it fell in love with this color, and it remains unforgettable to this day.
However, due to the unstable political situation at that time, this technique faded into obscurity and was lost with time. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, with the country in a state of recovery and reconstruction, the government made efforts to protect the traditional arts and crafts industry. Local craftsmen and the government worked together to gather scattered workshops and establish the Ceramic Industry Cooperative (predecessor of Jiangsu Yixing Purple Clay Craft Factory). After years of development, with a well-organized structure and a pool of talented individuals, the idea of recreating "Republican Green" using the original clay resurfaced. The director of the purple clay factory at the time invited professionals from the local Ceramic Research Institute to attempt to reproduce the "Republican Green." However, with the passage of time, the exact formula was lost, and the desired color could not be achieved. Instead, another color, known as "Mo Green" (Ink Green), became popular and has remained so to this day.
Therefore, in the pursuit of a goal, one may not necessarily achieve the desired outcome, but surprises can also occur. In fact, for fans of "Republican Green," how could they simply give up? Especially for those devoted to the study of purple clay, their love for something cannot be stopped. Thus, in the pursuit of "Republican Green," various colors emerged. Among them, some enthusiasts, based on the formula and techniques of "Ink Green," have created the protagonist of today's story—Sumatra Teal.
The story of "Republican Green" may have other versions that remain unknown to us(According to some records, Republican Green was initially formulated by Mr. Wang Shijie, a teacher at the Yixing Ceramic Vocational School at that time.), but the truth is no longer important. It has become an indispensable part of the history of modern purple clay, carrying with it a sense of mystery.
On the journey of pursuing "Republican Green," there is more than one person. For people today, their unwavering dedication and continuous pursuit may seem spectacular—filled with regrets and achievements. One thing is certain: not all endeavors yield the desired results, but the pursuit itself is driven by a genuine love. It encompasses the spirit of artisans and their unwavering commitment, which is one of the reasons why purple clay continues to thrive.
Thanks to such pursuit, we have the splendid Sumatra Teal purple clay teapots. Over six centuries, it wasn't only the magnificent voyages of Zheng He that crossed the seas but also the admiration and astonishment of the German enthusiast for "Republican Green," as well as the unexpected popularity of "Ink Green." Amidst the anticipation and disappointment, all of these moments are etched on the timeline of history. Today, the naming of "Sumatra Teal" pays homage across the history.
