Famille Rose Chinese Tea Sets: Where Do They Come From?

Several hundreds of years ago, Chinese tea sets were introduced to Europe and people there loved them. It seemed they just couldn’t get enough. And who could blame them? The thin, paper-like items and beautiful Chinese colors were something that most people had never even dreamed of before. But there were very few around who could afford them.

Suddenly, a new kind of porcelain china tea set was made in Jingdezhen, and merchants set off almost immediately. This was the last 1720s, and there was still a huge market for these items back home, especially if it was something new.

This was the famous Famille Rose porcelain, known for its distinctive range of colors.

Compared to the earlier Blue-and-White porcelain, Famille Rose porcelain stood alone in its rich colors, which involves much more complicated manufacturing techniques. Potters had to apply the skills of brushwork used in Chinese paintings to achieve the illusion of three dimensions. Also, they had to master the fine skill of firing so the finished pieces could shine with a gentle and soft lush.

This caused some emperors to send their best painters down the Jingdezhen to create some truly remarkable Famille rose porcelain items.

Today, few Europeans know that Europe made its own contributions to the irresistible Famille Rose porcelain.

Obviously the new colors used in the famille rose china tea sets had to come from somewhere, but where? Historians say enamels were brought into China by European Jesuit missionaries.

Not only that, but the pigments used also had to come from abroad. It took the Chinese a long time to learn how to make them, so they were shipped from Europe for decades.

After the first batch of Famille Rose porcelain hit European markets, Europeans simply couldnt get enough of it. The import of this beautiful porcelain survives to this day. Today, an exquisite antique Famille Rose china tea set runs millions of dollars as collectors compete with each other at auctions.

D. Cheng has written about Chinese history and handicrafts such as porcelain china tea sets for ages. Once in a while, he endorses skilled Chinese craftsmen. See samples of quality Chinese tea sets.