For those of you who are knowledgeable and familiar with export porcelain from Asia, this blog will be very basic.  However, we hope that readers who have only recently become interested in Chinese and Japanese porcelain find this helpful.

The subject of Export Porcelain is both simple and complicated.  Simple because its broadest definition refers to porcelain made in Asia specifically for the purpose of export to the west.  It becomes complicated because of the varieties of export porcelain made due to the tastes of the markets to which the porcelain was being shipped, the manufacturing sophistication of exporter, and the trading traditions and laws of both the importing and exporting countries.

Early trade between Europe and Far East Asia was restricted to overland travel via the silk-road through the current Middle East and dates from the second century A.D.  Marco Polo is probably the most notable trader.  With the advent of ocean shipping trade grew quickly and was represented by traders of practically each country in Europe.  Initial east/west shipping trade was dominated by Portuguese and Dutch merchants and then rapidly by British traders.  In each case, a single, large company was given monopolies for trade with specific Chinese and/or Japanese cities.  The English East India Company, for example, was organized in 1600 and created to control the commercial activities between England and China.  In Japan, although initiated by Portuguese and Spanish merchants, the Dutch East Indies Company came to dominate the trade through the 1600’s.

It wasn’t until the American Revolution that significant trade occurred between North America and Far East Asia.  The two primary catalysts for the growth of this trade were: a. the advent of the clipper ships that allowed wealthy businessmen to find lucrative markets for products in Asia from America and for Asian products (silk, tea, and porcelain) in the rapidly growing U.S., and b. the expansion of U.S. Navy and its influence on American trading policy.

So much for background.  In many cases the reference name for the type of Export Porcelain comes from the name of the Asian city from which the porcelain came.  For example, “Canton” came from Canton, China and “Imari” came from the port of Imari, Japan.  It would be nice and easy if this were the only designator.  Within some of these broadly named designators there are other names such as Famille Rose, Rose Medallion,  Fitzhugh ware, armorial porcelain etc.  Each one refers to differences in colors, patterns, glaze and firing techniques, and form.

The types of wood used in old Chinese furniture is as varied as that used by fine craftsmen in the west.  Some are similar and many are different.  An initial step taken to enjoy Asian antique furniture is to gain an appreciation for the wood used.  One should first think of two general categorical uses: fine furniture used by families of high position, and vernacular furniture for use in everyday homes.  The luxurious hardwoods used to make classical items include:  Zitan, Huanghuali, Jichimu, and Tieli.  These have distinctive grain patterns and display very rich and warm tones.  For example, a description of Zitan found in a publication of Chinese Maritime Customs states “the wood is exceedingly hard and has a coarse, dense grain, and a bright surface.  It is of a reddish brown to red colour, due to the presence of santalin, a coloring matter…”  In fact, it can also be described as purple.  Unfortunately there is very little old growth remaining and original items made from them are very special indeed. 

 The majority of furniture for everyday use is made from softer wood.  I say softer because we include oak in this category.  These woods include:  Camphor (Xiangzhang), Catalpa (Qui), Cypress (Baimu), Northern Elm (Yumu), Southern Elm (Jumu), Fir (Shan), Nanmu (Phoebe), Fruitwood (Pyrus), Pine, Poplar, and Walnut.  Walnut was also used for fine furniture in the northern parts of China.  These woods have proven to be very durable and long lasting.

 Furniture made from the fine hardwoods is almost always natural with no decoration whereas items made from the soft woods can be natural or decorated with lacquer and/or painted scenery. 

 References:  Chinese Provincial Furniture, Kimberly R. Hessler; Chinese Domestic Furniture, Gustav Ecke.

We are happy to open our start-up website for Moongate Gallery & Antiques.  Although the shop will not officially open until 8/8/08, we want to get our website up and working.  Starting any business is a challenge and none of it would have been possible without a great deal of help, advice, and counsel from many friends.  Thanks to all!  We intend to post regular blogs about interesting aspects of Asian antiques, so please stay tuned.