BATTRANG TRADE COMPANY

BatTrang Village ?

Bat Trang is a village in North Vietnam about 13 kilometers south east of Hanoi, on the Red river. It has been famous for its ceramics for a thousand years, particularly dinnerware and ornamental ware. The Bat Trang producers export ceramic goods annually to the value of over $40 million a year.

They are also able to produce high quality goods to order, meeting the demands of international buyers and their markets, manufactured using controlled processes using modern gas-fired kilns.Wander our narrow streets and see the vendors with their art-ware, tableware and ornaments. Little animals, figurines, huge vases, tea sets. Studios with antique collections, craftspeople making the pots, applying the plentiful designs, setting the kilns. Packers loading trucks for all parts. Walk to the river, see the old kilns and look for their red fires. Enjoy cup of tea, it tastes better in Bat Trang! Buy some ceramics so you can enjoy your Bat Trang experience at home.

The artistry of Bat Trang is well known throughout Vietnam for its beautiful ceramics that have been created for over 700 years. Vases of finest quality have graced the homes of aristocracy, rice bowls have help the food of the farmer, and electricity goes across the country using Bat Trang insulators. Young man, in expressing the strength of their love for a woman, promise to build a home from Bat Trang bricks.

Thanh Hoa potters founded Bat Trang some time in the late 15th century. They came for the rich deposits of white day (now exhausted) that was the hallmark of Bat Trang ceramics. Bat Trang is geographically well suited near the Hong River (Red River) and within a short trip from Hanoi central. Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, Bat Trang's ceramics were of the highest quality, and vigorously sought after. Many of these pieces included the date and signature of the potter. This zest to own a piece of Bat Trang only lasted untiil the early 18th century when China re-established its export market overshadowing Bat Trang.

Today, Bat Trang is once again a blooming market. The narrow dirt roads buzz with activity; every nook and cranny overflows with wares for sale; every mode of transportation is laden with baskets filled with ceramics of every kind destined for Hanoi. The dike road to the village is busy with motorbikes, bicycles, trucks and pedestrians. The drive to the village from Hanoi is near or bus No 47, but it takes a solid 30 minutes weaving through traffic and pedestrians.

Once in the village signs of the ancient traditions of manufacturing are immediate with brick walls filled with dry fuel patties. Nearly 80 percent of the 1200 kiln that fire ceramics still use the same fuel patties that have been in use since the founding of the village. These black patties are a mixture of coal powder, wood and water. Crafters from it into a round ball and press it onto a brick wall to dry. Hand printed fuel discs fill walls with a tapestry of design and beauty.

Although a machine mixes the clay itself, the molds are hand poured. Heat is added to the larger pieces in order for them to set in the high humidity. Craftsmen will drop a fire pot down into these larger vessels to promote quick setting. Once set, the pieces are carefully removed from the mold and final touches begin. All the seams that appear from the mold are smoothed with the touch of a hand. When small details are added (such as a tail of a snake or the head of a dragon) they are attached carefully with slip.

Each piece is painted with quick flowing strokes of blues, greens, and reds, which are the trademark of Bat Trang . Design motifs include turtles, fish, dragons, floral scrolls, and landscapes, which bring a mundane bowl to the level of art. The artist holds the brush with a delicate hand allowing the paint to flow into the clay. The workspace is spotless reflecting the care put into painting of each piece whether it is a simple rice bowl or an ornate incense burner. Once finished the pieces are set aside to dry before firing. After drying, ceramic boxes are filled to capacity then stacked high. Fuel patties line the sides of the boxes, plus the entire stack of ceramics as well. It can take up to three days to prepare for a firing. Once ready, the patties are set ablaze and the fires begin their 3-day burn. Because the temperatures cannot be exact, each firing produces a slight variation in color and quality from the last.

After the oven cools, each piece is carefully removed from its encasement and inspected for flaws or damage. If an item is less than ideal, but there is no obvious damage, it will go to the general marketplace for sale. If a high quality product comes from an especially successful firing, it will be set aside for the higher market.

There are a few businesses that have made the costly switch from coal to gas fired kilns. Gas kilns are not only cleaner to burn, but they also reduce firing time to less than 15 hours. The high temperatures combined with consistent heat produce only high quality pieces. There are available only for export or at exclusive shops in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

The beauty and artistry of each piece is in the eyes of the creator, and it is no wonder that Bat Trang families have been dedicated to the art of ceramics for generations. Artists throughout the centuries have toiled over the day until it is perfect, and couples have professed their love for one another over Bat Trang bricks. This dedication and love for the craft will continue to keep Bat Trang as an important part of Vietnamese history and art.

Bat Trang Ceramics Village in history:( HANOI - VIETNAM )

Bat Trang is the common name for the production of pottery in Bat Trang village , Bat Trang Commune , Gia Lam district , Hanoi . As Sino-Vietnamese meaning , Bat (?) is the monk's bowl ( Sanskrit Patra ) , white letters (?, also read the cases ) means " big yard " , a piece of land reserved for professionals . According to the village elder told , Bat left is the " Kim -?" for the rich, "?- written " means source , origin . Bat used to admonish such children " are now the profession has not been forgotten root " . Currently, in the houses, temples and pagodas are still in Bat Bat letters written by kanji is? ?.
Location:
Location of Bat Trang Commune
Bat Trang Commune is the former name of Bat Trang village in Gia Lam district , Hanoi from before 1945 . More than 700 years ago , people migrated from rural village Bat Bat Bo ( Bo Xuyen commune and total pages of Bach Bach Bat Bat , Yen Mo district , government Truong Yen , Thanh Hoa foreign town , this is two villages in Yen Thanh, Yen Mo district , Ninh Binh province ) , by king Ly Cong Uan moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long , compensation to land on the Red River , up wards ceramics ( bricks ) , at first Bat Trang village called worship Bach , Bat Trang Commune (ie today Bat Trang Village ) East of the total balance , Gia Lam district , Phu Thuan An , Bac Ninh province ) live mainly in pottery-making and trafficking and offices . Later Le Dynasty , Bat Trang Commune , Gia Lam district , Phu Thuan An town Beijing . Sang Nguyen Dynasty , 1822 to change town Kinh Bac Bac Ninh , 1831 in Bac Ninh province to change , this time in Bat Trang commune of Dong Du , Gia Lam district , Phu Thuan An . By 1862 the government divided and in 1912 divided Thuan Thanh Son of government . From February to November 1949 , the province of Gia Lam District Hung Yen . From 1961 to date , Gia Lam district of Hanoi suburb . 1948 , Bat Trang Commune social integration with Kim Giang Cao Lan and Quang Minh Commune made . Since 1964 , Bat Trang commune is made up of 2 villages of Bat Trang and Giang Cao today.
In 1958 , the state implemented training Bac Hung Hai River - the Bac Hung Hai irrigation irrigation irrigation to a vast field of the 3 provinces : Bac Ninh , Hung Yen , Hai Duong , creating a path new to the Bat Trang commune , so from Hanoi , the waterway may from Chuong Duong or ferry dock Black , Red River downstream Bat terminal , as well as road can Chuong Duong bridge ( or bridges Long Bien ) and the Red River dike to turn down slope Giang Cao Bat Trang ( about 15 km ) or the National Highway No. 5 to Trau Quy right-hand turn in the road through the district link to Bat Trang Da Ton commune ( over 20 km ) . Or from the city center of Hanoi, if the water can come from Chuong Duong port to port along the Red River Bat Trang Dinh ( Bat Trang tourism port ) or by road , or by Chuong Duong Bridge , Long Bien Bridge dikes along the Long Bien - Xuan Quan ( Hong dikes on the left ) to the Xuan Quan Cong ( works the Bac Hung Hai irrigation ) 1 km is the way to Bat Trang commune . Or from Highway 5 turn into Trau Quy through Da Ton commune up to 100 meters turn left into the road to Bat Trang Commune ( the Agricultural University - Trau Quy only about 5 km ) .
Nowadays very convenient to Bat Trang because since 2006 , Ha Noi transport company opened 47 bus routes in the ancient village of Bat Trang ceramics market is the end station .
In the An Lao district , Hai Phong city has a Bat Trang Commune names similar to Bat Trang.
History:
According to the chronicles can see 14-15 century is the time of the Bat Trang pottery village .
Vietnam History • Complete copy " Dragon , Thieu Phong 12th year ( 1352 ) ... Fall , July , large water flooding , dike break Bat commune , Block , rice steeped cheek . Khoái Chau , Hong Thuan Chau and most victims . " Bat the Bat Trang Commune commune , the commune away from Turkey Blocks , two communes along the left bank of the river dike II , which today the Red River.
• According to the Vietnamese Complete History , the 1376 , in a main South , Union warships of King Tran Due Tong came down the river from Long II ( Red River ) passing through " communal bowl river " that dock Red River Bat Trang commune .
• Du Dia Chi Nguyen Trai copy " Bat Trang village as cup bowl map " and also the " Bat Trang , Gia Lam district , Hue The Van Giang district . Hai village sewer map that supply to China 's 70 bowl disk , dark cloth 200 " ...
But the stories collected in the Bat Trang pottery village can be released sooner. At Bat hitherto circulated myths about the origins of pottery as follows :
• At the time the reason , there are three Thai Hua Vinh Kieu students ( or high) , Dao Tri Tien Phuong Tu and Save ( or Save Yongfeng ) was sent to Northern Song Dynasty porcelain . After completing the mission , on the way back to the lack of European countries (Cantonese) (now in Chaozhou , Guangdong Province , China ) storms , to stay . Here comes the famous pottery , he visited three and learned some techniques to bring about spreading native population . Hua Vinh Kieu passed to Bat Trang ceramic water white coral . Dao Tri Tien passed to Tho Ha ( Vietnam Yen district , Bac Giang province ) red yellow glaze colors . Save The autobiography for Phu Lang ( Que Vo district , Bac Ninh province ) red glaze dark yellow . The story also circulated in Tho Ha and Phu Lang with much less difference in circumstances . If so , Bat Trang ceramics from the Ly dynasty had corresponded to the Northern Song period , ie before 1127 .
• The memories and the folk traditions of the family in Bat Trang , Nguyen Ninh Trang family there . It is argued that Nguyen Ninh Trang Nguyen family in the Vinh Ninh , Thanh Hoa in a kiln , but there is no documentary confirmation . Some family genealogy in Bat Trang as they Le , Vuong Pham , Nguyen ... noted that the ancient ancestors migrated from Bo Bat out here ( as Bo Bo Xuyen and Bach Bat Bat ) . At the end of the Le Dynasty around the 14th century - early 15th century and the beginning of Nguyen , Xuyen and offshore sites in total Bach Bach Bat Bat , Yen Mo district , government Truong Yen , Thanh Hoa Town Affairs . Today, the White Bat Bo Xuyen and two villages in Yen Thanh , Yen Mo district , Ninh Binh province , this area is very white clay suitable for pottery craft . According to a legend and genealogy of them as they Vu at Bo Xuyen , old residents specializing in pottery bowl for a long time . This is confirmed by traces of the clay layer and dense ken pottery found many places in this area .
1010 , King Ly Thai To moved the capital to Thang Long , Thang Long became the political center of the Republic of Vietnam . Due to the development needs of the city , many merchants, craftsmen from where to find the Thang Long industrial practice and up . The birth and development of Thang Long has a strong impact on economic activity of the surrounding villages , including the village of Bat Trang . This particular area has a lot of white clay , a good material for the production of pottery . Bo Bat Some potters migrated out here and they Nguyen Ninh Trang pottery set , called the White Earth Ward ( Ward White Earth ) . The next round of migration has turned from a Bat Trang ceramic village has become a normal famous pottery center was chosen to provide the court tributes to the Ming Dynasty .
So far , have not found any documentation to confirm historical biographies of three characters , as well as confirming the formation of the village . These archaeological excavations in the future may reveal more clearly the history and monuments of the pottery village of Bat Trang . The only sure thing is Bat Trang pottery appeared very early , at the end of the Culture of Peace Bac Son culture . In the process of developing pottery , of course, many exchange relationships with Chinese ceramics and have received some influence of Chinese ceramics.
15-16 century:
A glazed ceramic top embossed dragon decoration and handicraft village of Bat Trang due to manufacturing workers in 1736 , the Canh Hung .
Moscow 's policy towards the business during this time is open , do not advocate " restrained trade " before the economy as goods whose distribution conditions are more favorable , thus , Bat Trang products are widely circulated . Bat Trang ceramics have many products the Mac is clearly written in intelligent manufacturing , the name of the person ordering and production . Through this document proving that the order includes a number of senior officials and nobles wear princess costumes , pro- Duke short code , Ngoc Lien Da Mac Nations , the U.S. State Lady .. . The order spread out over a large space includes district covered the northern plains and the northern Central Coast.
16-17 century:
After the end of the geographical discoveries 15th century , many developed countries of Western Europe to Eastern spill . Countries Portugal , Holland , England , France ... established companies , building bases in the East for trade . Activity of maritime trade in Southeast Asia have a long history of capital becomes more vibrant , attractive countries in the region in Asian trading system and the global market is developing.
Once established , the Ming (China ) prohibits private undertakings with foreign trade for the export of the famous ceramics China has restricted facilitate Bat Trang pottery market expansion in Southeast Asia . When the Ming (China ) abolished the policy of isolation ( 1567 ) but still banned exports of some raw materials and commodities important to Japan , was created for trade relations between Vietnam and Japan feature special development , thereby Bat Trang ceramics are imported into Japan .
In 1644 the Qing Dynasty (China ) restore policy against crossing with foreign trade , until 1684 after liberate Taiwan . During that time , a number of export items of Vietnam , including Bat Trang pottery of China is not competitive should have conditions to thrive .
15-17 century was a period of strong development of ceramic industry Vietnam exports , which in the north are two important centers and the famous Bat Trang and Chu Dau - Xa ( the Minh Tan Thai Tan , Nam Sach district , Hai Duong province ) . At that time , Thang Long (Hanoi) and Pho Hien (now Hung Yen province ) is the second largest urban center and is also harmful for foreign trade prosperity of Tonkin . Bat Trang luck and great advantages is located by the river II ( Red River ) in the middle of Long Street and Constitution , the waterway linking the city and the gateway to the outside world . Chinese trading ships , Japan , Southeast Asia and the Western countries , Vietnam pottery is sold to Japan and many countries in Southeast Asia , South Asia .
The Western companies , especially the Dutch East India Company , the trading method " from India ( East ) to India " , bought ceramics Vietnam market sales to Southeast Asia and Japan The .
At the end of the 17th century & early 18th century:
The export trade in pottery and Vietnam in Southeast Asia are rapidly declining because after Taiwan was liberated ( 1684 ) and Qing Dynasty abolished crossing policies prohibit trade with foreign countries . Since then , high-quality ceramic Chinese flooded the markets of Southeast Asia and Vietnam pottery is not competitive enough . Japan, after a period of closure to protect the precious materials such as silver , copper , has been promoting the development of domestic industries such as silk , sugar , ceramics ... that previously had to buy foreign products.
18-19 century:
Statue craft ceramic village of Bat Trang potters due to the Canh Hung .
Some Western countries into industrial revolution with the new goods to large consumer markets . The economic situation together with limited foreign trade policy of the government Trinh Nguyen in the 18th century and of the Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th century made ??the external trade relations of Vietnam and the export decline pottery diminished . That is why some pottery village production interruptions ( such as Chu Dau ceramic village - Xa ) . Bat Trang ceramics have been affected yet , but retains vitality thanks to a broad consumer market with domestic appliances , worship , decoration and building blocks are essential for all classes society from nobles to civilians . In this phase , Bat Trang pottery declining exports , but Bat Trang is still a manufacturing center known traditional ceramic in water.
19th century:
Mutual ceramic village of Bat Trang potters due to the Canh Hung .
• During the French colonial period , the Bat Trang pottery but with a number of ceramic enterprises and foreign goods competing but still maintain normal operation .
• After the Indochina War (1945-1954) , 1957 , 10 individual landowners , the landowners of the village Giang Cao ( after land reform in 1955 ) founded the company contribution ceramic Truong Thinh , to produce ceramic serving civil society , this is the starting platform for enterprise Bat Trang . 1958 workers from state partnership, the company converted to ceramic Truong Thinh Bat Trang ceramic factory , hire workers to do the Bat Trang village . With full facilities , labor Bat Trang is tested , practical , creative based on hard work and diligence has created a generation of skilled ceramic solid . At the same time a number of cooperatives as The City (1962 ) , played at the ground near Da Ton commune , Hung Ha (1977 ) , The Force (1978 ) , Thong Nhat (1982 ) , Red Light (1984 ) and Contact ceramic industry association (1984 ) Enterprise x51 , X54 (1988 ) ... The manufacturing facility in the supply of consumer goods in the country , a number of cosmetic technology and some exports . The well-known artists such as Bat Trang Dao Van Can , Nguyen Van lodge , Le Van The , Le Van Cam ... trained many young potters kilns provide a new opening in the province .
• After 1986 the village of Bat Trang ceramics major shift towards a market economy . The cooperatives in turn dissolved or transformed into joint-stock companies , large companies were established , but much remains the production and dissemination are small units of production per household . Bat Trang Commune has become a major pottery center .

• Currently, Bat Trang products increasingly rich and diverse . In addition to the traditional items , the Bat Trang pottery also produced many new products to meet consumer demand in Vietnam as the kind of cups , dishes , vases ... new type of building material , the type insulators ... and the products exported by foreign orders . Bat Trang products available on the domestic market and are exported to many countries in Asia and Europe . Bat attracted a lot of manpower from around the songwriting new models and improved production technology . Some artists initially successful in restoring some traditional pottery with designs and unique glaze the Ly , Tran , Le , Mac ...

Sourse: http://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%E1%BB%91m_B%C3%A1t_Tr%C3%A0ng