Europeans were big fans of Chinese porcelain several hundreds of years ago. Pieces with a translucent body and subtle oriental hues were greatly sought after by the very few who could afford them. And many were fascinated by how the pieces reacted to poisoned food by cracking and changing color.
Suddenly, a new kind of porcelain china tea set was made in Jingdezhen, and merchants set off almost immediately. This was the last 1720s, and there was still a huge market for these items back home, especially if it was something new.
What was this new Chinese tea set? Famille rose, one of the most colorful varieties of Chinese porcelain.
When compared to earlier porcelain, Famille Rose was remarkable for how many colors it incorporated. Making such vibrant colors required much more sophisticated techniques. Painters applied their skills to these tea sets, and potters had to come up with new ways of firing the porcelain so as not to damage the delicate color pigments. The result was truly remarkable.
That must be why a few emperors of the Qing dynasty sent their best painters to produce some Famille Rose items that would only be used in the imperial city. One emperor even used a whole kiln full of Famille rose items in his personal study.
Today, few Europeans know that Europe made its own contributions to the irresistible Famille Rose porcelain.
Obviously the new colors used in the famille rose china tea sets had to come from somewhere, but where? Historians say enamels were brought into China by European Jesuit missionaries.
But that's not all, because the pigments had to continuously come from abroad for many years. The Chinese didn't actually know how to make those colors themselves, so they had to rely on importing it from Europe.
When the first shipment of Famille Rose porcelain arrived at European markets, the people there simply couldnt get enough of it. This beautiful porcelain is still exported around the world to this day. Today, an exquisite antique Famille Rose Chinese tea set can cost millions of dollars as collectors try to outbid one other at auctions.
Suddenly, a new kind of porcelain china tea set was made in Jingdezhen, and merchants set off almost immediately. This was the last 1720s, and there was still a huge market for these items back home, especially if it was something new.
What was this new Chinese tea set? Famille rose, one of the most colorful varieties of Chinese porcelain.
When compared to earlier porcelain, Famille Rose was remarkable for how many colors it incorporated. Making such vibrant colors required much more sophisticated techniques. Painters applied their skills to these tea sets, and potters had to come up with new ways of firing the porcelain so as not to damage the delicate color pigments. The result was truly remarkable.
That must be why a few emperors of the Qing dynasty sent their best painters to produce some Famille Rose items that would only be used in the imperial city. One emperor even used a whole kiln full of Famille rose items in his personal study.
Today, few Europeans know that Europe made its own contributions to the irresistible Famille Rose porcelain.
Obviously the new colors used in the famille rose china tea sets had to come from somewhere, but where? Historians say enamels were brought into China by European Jesuit missionaries.
But that's not all, because the pigments had to continuously come from abroad for many years. The Chinese didn't actually know how to make those colors themselves, so they had to rely on importing it from Europe.
When the first shipment of Famille Rose porcelain arrived at European markets, the people there simply couldnt get enough of it. This beautiful porcelain is still exported around the world to this day. Today, an exquisite antique Famille Rose Chinese tea set can cost millions of dollars as collectors try to outbid one other at auctions.
About the Author:
Author D. Cheng has studied Chinese culture, calligraphy, and arts & crafts such as china tea sets for years. From time to time, he endorses skilled Chinese craftsmen. See samples of quality China tea sets.
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