When Chinese porcelain first came to Europe in the 14th century, it was a rare and expensive item. The potters of Jingdezhen, China, created this fine item in mass quantities. Generally, the Jingdezhen production method was a guarded secret, known only to a few. However, as demand increased, European potters began manufacturing valuable blue-and-white ceramics. ...
A traditional design using the theme, time on porcelain at the APAT exhibition 2022. Image by Trisha Haddock
Porcelain, as indicated by its popular name “china,” or “fine china,” is one of the grandest Chinese inventions and dates back to the Eastern Han Dynasty (196-220). The Chinese term for it is Ci (瓷) or Ciqi (瓷器). The term comes from the Italian “porcellana,” which originally referred to a kind of white cowrie shell. ...
The wealthy use numerous utensils made of various materials, including metals like silver and exquisite materials like bone china. However, porcelain cutlery is often associated with elegance and elevated taste. In European royal and well-to-do families, the craze for such cutlery is well known. Porcelain in its original form was reportedly made first in China ...
The following story shows how perfection is in the eye of the beholder. Lao Liang needed money, so he wanted to sell his yellow porcelain bowl, which was a family heirloom. Once the news got out, an antique dealer came to his house. The dealer looked at the bowl for quite a while and said: “It is ...
Chinese porcelain has been a valued object throughout history and was a major export item of China in the past. Surprisingly, the largest private collection of Chinese porcelain is not in China, but in Europe. Known as the Meiyintang Collection, it consists of nearly 2,000 pieces of porcelain and is currently under the control of ...
The Chinese have been at the forefront of many inventions throughout history — the compass, gunpowder, paper, etc., just to name a few. But one of the seemingly least talked about is porcelain, which is also a Chinese invention. The full scope of inventions that could be attributed to China’s participation in past times is not ...
An old Chinese saying resonates with the season as the cold winter embraces us: “Eat radishes in winter and ginger in summer.” But with radishes being a “cooling” food, is it beneficial to consume them during the chilly months? Let’s explore why incorporating them into your winter diet can particularly benefit your health and what ...
Christmas, a festival celebrated globally, transcends its Christian origins to bring joy and unity across diverse cultures. This season of merriment is marked not just by the exchange of gifts and shared meals, but also by the delightful aromas and flavors that emanate from kitchens worldwide. One of the most cherished traditions of Christmas is ...
You’ve inherited a box of fine bone china from your grandmother. The cups and saucers are very pretty, but you don’t know how to care for them or if they’re valuable. Before using them for afternoon tea, you should learn to spot and care for this valuable china. Read this article to become an expert ...
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