Although it has only been restored for more than 10 years, Bo Bat pottery with its unique glaze line has affirmed its quality, gradually becoming a famous ceramic brand in the country and being marketed in some countries around the world. favored world.

Bo Bat ancient pottery village more than 1,000 years ago, is Bach Bat village, Bo Xuyen Chan Thanh Hoa belonging to Ai Chau Son, now is Bach Lien village, Yen Thanh commune, Yen Mo district, Ninh Binh province.

In 1999, archaeologists excavated the Man Bac relic site in Bach Lien village and found 15 graves and 17 individuals and many ceramic utensils such as beads, ceramic rings, ceramic pots, etc. raw ceramics, white glazed ceramics.

According to historical records, it was the artisans of Bach Lien village who followed the Ly court (in 1010) to move the capital to Thang Long, settled in the area along the Red River where there was a lot of good clay to make pottery and established the village. Bat Trang pottery today.

During the Ly – Tran dynasties, the products of Bo Bat pottery village were very popular. Many relics such as terracotta bricks “Dai Viet Quoc Quan Thanh specializes” – specialized bricks used to build citadel, sophisticated ceramic products such as dragon heads, animal faces, dishes, household items… was found during archaeological excavations at the temple of King Dinh and King Le (Ninh Binh).

In particular, Bo Bat pottery only uses a rare white clay called Bo Di clay, which is only available in this region. This type of soil has the characteristics of creating the number 1 white glaze line today and only needs to be baked 50-70% of the time compared to other types of soil, but still ensures the quality of smoothness, hardness, after firing the product is less prone to damage. cracked, broken more than other types of clay.

Along with that, being fired at high temperature, ceramic products are created without lead concentration, ensuring safety for users’ health, as well as keeping the characteristics, gloss durability of enamel, limiting chipped, very suitable for household appliances of restaurants, hotels – places that often have to use dishwashers.

In order to create his own uniqueness for the Bo Bat pottery line, Mr. Pham Van Vang – who restored the ancient pottery profession of his homeland, focused on producing mosaics of ceramic paintings, based on some famous paintings. , such as Dong Ho, with typical regional and regional cultures throughout the country. In it, there are many pictures of famous tourist sites and attractions of Ninh Binh such as Phat Diem stone church, Trang An eco-tourism area, Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area.

Miraculous “revival” journey

As a son born in the ancient land of thousands of years of history, in Bach Lien village, Yen Thanh commune, Yen Mo district, Ninh Binh province with many changes, ups and downs, witnessing the traditional pottery profession of Vietnam. his homeland was “lost”, so after finishing high school, instead of entering the university lecture hall like many of his peers, Mr. Phan Van Vang decided to go to Hanoi to work in a pottery workshop. porcelain to learn experiences in the technique of painting ancient patterns and patterns and the standard requirements of ceramics.

After 10 years of going to study pottery, this young man returned to Yen Thanh to be determined to rebuild the pottery village on his native land.

“In the young thoughts of a young man of eighteen and twenty, I can still imagine the joy of being able to restore the profession of my homeland and get rich in my own homeland,” said Pham. Van Van confided.

He left Bat Trang to go to Bac Giang to work in an export ceramics workshop to learn experience in painting techniques of ancient paintings and the standard requirements of export ceramics. Working while learning about ancient painting motifs and saving money, waiting for the day to return home to set up a business. God loved the young man with a will, so he was destined to meet his good wife now in the pottery workshop. After living and working, after 6 years of studying and working, Pham Van Vang and his wife returned to their hometown of Bach Lien to open a pottery workshop and restore their profession. The ancient pottery of the homeland has been lost.

Officially becoming the “boss”, Vang also faced countless difficulties. The first is the production capital, the family is not very well off, and the money accumulated over the years working as a pottery worker is just enough to build a workshop, the cost of labor and materials is still too much for him. He thought about applying for loans and local support, although it was supported, but with the position of a poor commune and the unpopularity of the profession, the loan amount was still too small. Collected, he has more than 100 million to build his ceramic base, send craftsmen to Bat Trang to learn trades, …

The only advantage for building Mr. Vang’s pottery establishment is probably the source of raw materials. In Yen Thanh commune, Bo Di clay, also known as young dew, is very rare. This type of soil has the characteristics of creating the number 1 white glaze line today and only needs to be baked 50-70% of the time compared to other types of soil, but still ensures the quality of smoothness, hardness, after firing the product is less prone to damage. cracked, broken more than other types of clay. This is a favorable condition for the revival and development of Bo Bat ancient pottery line.

Today’s Bo Bat ceramic products are tested over time, selected and acknowledged to exist and develop. Artist Pham Van Vang believes: “In the past, his father left valuable ceramic works for today, today’s descendants must strive to create high-value products, not only for today. but also for future generations. Let Bo Bat’s kiln never go out of fire.”

Still, it’s all just the beginning and there are still many difficulties waiting ahead. But with what young artist Pham Van Vang has done, it can be said that Bo Bat pottery is gradually reviving. The dream of the people of Bach Lien about the red days of the pottery kilns has now come true. The restoration of Bo Bat pottery village has brought a flourish to the lives of the people here, bringing “job security” and pride to the locality.

From the early days of restoration, through countless failures, today Bo Bat pottery is not only famous throughout the country, but also reaches out to small-scale markets such as the US or Japan, even to foreign markets. Large French enterprises have also proposed on the exclusive production of products. This issue is both an opportunity and a big challenge for Bo Bat pottery in terms of maintaining its own identity in the international market, not being lost or dissolved. Believe that with youth, passion and creativity, elite artist Phan Van Vang will help Bo Bat pottery go further, the land that has been sleeping for thousands of years will wake up and shine.