Several hundreds of years ago, Chinese tea sets were introduced to Europe and people there loved them. It seemed they just couldn't get enough. And who could blame them? The thin, paper-like items and beautiful Chinese colors were something that most people had never even dreamed of before. But there were very few around who could afford them.
So when an innovative type of porcelain appeared in the 1720s in Jingdezhen-Chinas porcelain capital-merchants started sailing to China for the porcelain that could make them a big fortune.
What was this new Chinese tea set? Famille rose, one of the most colorful varieties of Chinese porcelain.
When set beside the earlier Blue-and-White porcelain, Famille Rose porcelain clearly is special for its rich colors, which involve a much more complicated manufacturing process. Potters had to apply the skills fine painting to achieve the illusion of three dimensions. Also, they had to master the fine skill of firing so the finished pieces could shine with a gentle and soft luster.
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.
After the first batch of Famille Rose porcelain hit European markets, Europeans simply couldnt get enough of it. The import of this beautiful porcelain survives to this day. Today, an exquisite antique Famille Rose china tea set runs millions of dollars as collectors compete with each other at auctions.
So when an innovative type of porcelain appeared in the 1720s in Jingdezhen-Chinas porcelain capital-merchants started sailing to China for the porcelain that could make them a big fortune.
What was this new Chinese tea set? Famille rose, one of the most colorful varieties of Chinese porcelain.
When set beside the earlier Blue-and-White porcelain, Famille Rose porcelain clearly is special for its rich colors, which involve a much more complicated manufacturing process. Potters had to apply the skills fine painting to achieve the illusion of three dimensions. Also, they had to master the fine skill of firing so the finished pieces could shine with a gentle and soft luster.
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.
After the first batch of Famille Rose porcelain hit European markets, Europeans simply couldnt get enough of it. The import of this beautiful porcelain survives to this day. Today, an exquisite antique Famille Rose china tea set runs millions of dollars as collectors compete with each other at auctions.
About the Author:
Author D. Cheng has written about Chinese history and handicrafts such as china tea sets for years. Once in a while, he endorses skilled Chinese craftsmen. Look at some beautiful Chinese tea sets.
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