Jianshui pottery appears at Expo Milano 2015 [Photo/Yunnan.cn]

A Yunnan-themed exhibition was recently held at the China Pavilion of Expo Milano, according to Yunnan.cn.

Echoing Expo Milano's theme of "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life," Yunnan chose the products most representative of the province's ecology; Pu'er tea was the main item on display.

Jianshui pottery was also exhibited at the expo, in tandem with Pu'er tea.

In Yunnan's Jianshui county, artists make purple pottery by hand, making the craft stand out from the crowd. The process of making a successful piece of pottery includes five steps, with each step requiring a great deal of effort and attention. In 2008, Jianshui Purple Pottery was listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage and a Protected Geographical Indication.

Excavations have revealed the history of pottery-making in Jianshui dating back 3,500 years. Records also show that during the Song (AD 420-479) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties, Jianshui was at the center of pottery-making in Yunnan. Originating during the mid-late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Jianshu'’s purple pottery began to take an honorable position and became one of the four most famous potteries in China.

Edited by Jacob Hooson