How Chinese porcelain inspired Europe’s own pottery

When porcelain arrived in Europe from China in the 16th Century it caused a sensation.

Potters in Jingdezhen had made a magical material never seen before. Only they knew the production process which was a closely guarded secret. But Dutch potters began crafting their own highly-prized blue and white ceramics.

Making Qinghuaci porcelain is a complicated process that involves seventy-two steps. The step called trimming involves removing any excess clay and the thickness has to be very precise, nothing greater than a tenth of a millimetre is permitted. It is an extremely delicate process requiring very skilled craftsmen. 

When it comes to glazing, the vessel is immersed quite slowly, although it’s removed surprisingly quickly. The speed is dictated by the object’s shape and the craftsman relies on experience to determine this.  

A distinctive feature of blue-and-white porcelain is its elegant underglaze. The design incorporates some of the traditional Chinese ink-and-wash painting techniques, such as fading and tapering. Everything painted on the surface has unique symbolism, usually associated with some form of blessing. 

“To produce creative works, you need to get out and discover and appreciate the beauty of life." Explains Chen Yu, Jingdezhen Porcelain Hand Painter. "Without such input, there can be no output. Besides, artistic expression is a highly personal thing – a manifestation of one’s tastes and one’s understanding of life.” 

For around four hundred years the Dutch city of Delft has been doing wonderous things with clay.

Delftware designs initially imitated Chinese ceramics, but soon the potters started making their own blue and white ceramics and over time decorative scenes became more Dutch. Mills, ships, and the