I have the Blues! (and Whites)

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.