With wonderfully classic shapes, Chinese blue and white porcelain is one of those mediums that can adapt its self easily to decorating. Long being the inspiration for many a person and manufacturer, it adds a sense of calm oriental savoir faire to any room or tablescape.
Such was the popularity of Chinese blue and white porcelain, can be seen in the fact that every major china manufacturer over the last 300 years or so has imitated it in some form or another. The most well known example being the English willow pattern, with truth be told is a purely English invention and not Chinese at all. The pattern itself was strongly influenced from Chinese export porcelains of the 18th Century. The willow pattern was, in turn, copied by Chinese potters, but with the decoration hand painted rather than transfer-printed.
Usually white pottery or porcelain which is decorated with a blue pigment under the glaze, the technique was fully developed in China with porcelain technology in the 14th century.
The earlier Chinese blue and white while not as refined as more modern examples has a very rustic nosatlgic feel about it. Many of the techniques and designs drew their inspiration from nature and everyday life.
Now readily available from a large variety of sources from high end million dollar antiques or just a visit to your local Chinatown, the look can be achieved within many a budget. 
The earlier Chinese blue and white while not as refined as more modern examples has a very rustic nosatlgic feel about it. Many of the techniques and designs drew their inspiration from nature and everyday life.
Beautiful pieces. You are right, blue and white porcelain is so versatile.
ReplyDeleteThis post reminds me when I was a kid, I used to have my meal by using the blue and white porcelain bowl and plate even the soup spoon, very nostalgic. Great post Mr. David !! :)
ReplyDeleteI love blue and white Delft. No matter how complicated the pattern the blue and white does add a calming touch to a room.
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be a bit of blue & white longing going around ... . I was searching for some striped fabric in my stash yesterday - just feeling it was just what I needed to hold me over through the spring. Perhaps I'll just toss some apple branches in a porcelain pot and save myself an afternoon with the sewing machine ... .
ReplyDeletebeautiful post, David !
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In spite of the fact that blue and white was a bit overdone in the 80s, I still love it. With red or yellow, such as spring bulbs, the colour contrast is very exciting. I like Blue Willow and have it in the kitchen. It is synonymous with "home," and I believe it is the most popular dinnerware pattern ever produced. It is fun to collect it at antique shows and flea markets because it has been done by hundreds of manufacturers and you can always find interesting pieces that go together.
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