Technique

Blue and White


French Plate c.1700	Mexican or Spanish Majolica plate, late 17th to early 18th century

French Bottle, Mid 17th century	Faince Plate, 17-18th century

Because of the great demand for Chinese Blue and White porcelains, European ceramists of The Netherlands, France, Spain, Germany and England produced their own Blue and White wares. Although many were not true porcelains, the imitation of Chinese motifs and compositions were so skillful that some European Blue and White potteries could hardly be differentiated from the Chinese.

Polychrome


Netherlandish Plate, 17-18th century	Germany Plate, 18th century

French Plate, 17-18th century

In the late 17th and early 18th century Chinese polychrome porcelains came to Europe inspiring European ceramists to create a new color palette, for example, Delf potters added red, green and yellow to their earlier blue and purple, imitating Chinese enameled porcelain wares. On the three plates above, the landscape, bird and flower motifs were interpretations of Chinese designs.