The
Story of
Blue and White
Porcelain
Blue and White
Porcelain is probably the most celebrated of all Ceramic Art styles ever produced
-- or at least the continuing outrageous enthusiasm of
auction buyers gives this impression.
Known
as "Qinghua" in China, the style was well developed by the
Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368) but became world famous during the Ming
Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Even today, many people use the terms
"Ming" "Blue and White" synonymously.
The decorative style became the standard for
Imperial Porcelain production in China and was much revered throughout Southeast Asia and the Middle-East because of vast trade networks existing since ancient times.
The
western affection for Blue and White Porcelain began in 1603 when the
Dutch East India Company sent a single ship to Amsterdam with a load
of the "Chinese White Gold." It was sold for a colossal
profit and the rest of Europe soon caught on. The affection for Blue and White
Porcelain continues relentlessly today.
The
center of production of Underglaze Blue Ceramics in China was
Jingdezhen in Jianxi Province.
It was here that ample raw materials (such as 2 mountains of
white kaolin clay) were available.
Chinese potters developed the technique of painting blue cobalt
oxide on white clay and spraying a coating of clear glaze over top.
When heated in a kiln at high temperature, the ceramic and its decoration can remain in mint condition for centuries even if buried underwater or
underground.
Although
imperial kilns in the Jingdezhen area were important, other locations
such as Shantou (Swatow), Dehua and other parts of Fujian province
also produced tradeware Porcelain that is found throughout Southeast
Asia.
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Bottle
Vase with Underglaze Red
CERAMIC ARTIFACT #bw-001808
DESCRIPTION:
The
Bottle Vase is decorated in a combination of cobalt blue and copper
red. The main figures on the body are 2 lion figures surrounded by fire
and various auspicious objects. Bordering above is a classic
scroll, then lotus petal panels. At the uppermost section are
stiff plantain leaves bordered by a key fret pattnern. At the base, are more lotus panels
bordered by a classic
scroll.
ORIGIN:
The
artifact was produced in China, probably in the city of Jingdezhen of
Jiangxi province. It was brought to Southeast Asia as a valuable trade-good probably by an ancient
Spanish trading
ship. After many
centuries, the piece was rediscovered by excavators and subsequently acquired by The Chalre Collection through a registered dealer.
AGE:
Early
Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911)
MEASUREMENTS:
Height: 29cm
(11.5in.)
Width or Depth: 15cm
(6in.)
REFERENCES:
Similar
or identical artifacts are found in various Ceramic Art publications.
Some of these include: Blue
and White Wares Found in the Philippines, Chinese
Ceramics, Chinese
Blue and White Porcelain, Blue
and White Chinese Porcelain and Zhangzhou
Ware.
Other
similar or identical examples can be found in publications dealing specifically with ancient shipwrecks excavations. Good examples
are Lost At Sea:
The Lena Shoal Junk and The
Pearl Road: Tales of Treasure Ships.
Similar
and/or identical items are also on display at the Victoria & Albert
Museum in London (UK), the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco (USA), the
National Museum of Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), the National Museum of the
Philippines (Manila) and other museums throughout the world with diverse
collections of Asian ceramics.
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+632 822 4129
