Chinoiserie and Russian arts and crafts

Chinoiserie

Down through the 18th and the 19th century Chinese culture was taken as a model in many parts of the world – e.g. in Europe. The age was characterised by strong trade relations between China and Europe which contributed to the increasing European interest in Chinese culture. An unprecedented cultural exchange took place in which Europe was the receiving party. All sorts of Chinoiserie were seen in Europe – in architecture, interiors and arts and crafts. Above all, Chinese porcelain was widely admired, and this led to a huge importation of Chinese porcelain.

This year’s last international auction offers a rare Chinese export plate in East Indian porcelain. This plate bears testimony to the fact that Chinese culture was not just admired in Europe, and that Chinese porcelain, therefore, was not just exported to Europe. It is from the Qianlong age (1736-1795) and was made for the Indian market which is also evident from the motif depicting an elephant with rider. A similar plate is reproduced in the book “China for the West” (1978) by David Howard and John Ayers.

Meissen porcelain

The interest in Chinese porcelain was also felt in Germany. The auction offers a tête-à-tête service from the renowned German porcelain manufactory Meissen. This manufactory was the first in Europe to succeed in producing porcelain – which had hitherto been an exclusively Chinese domain. In 1706 King August the Strong of Saxony established a laboratory for porcelain research. He initiated a co-operation with the scientist and chemist E. W. von Tschirnhaus and the alchemist and chemist’s apprentice J. Fr. Böttger. The king had actually imprisoned the latter in 1701, because he was suspected of trying to produce gold. In his captivity Böttger continued his attempts to produce gold, but he was more successful in making “white gold”. August the Strong made use of Böttger’s abilities in porcelain research, and after Tschirnhaus and Böttger had experimented for a number of years, August the Strong was able to open his porcelain manufactory in the small town of Meissen near Dresden. Tschirnhaus died shortly after, and henceforth Böttger served as head of the manufactory until 1719. In the first years of the manufactory, the research process had not yet been brought to completion in that the porcelain turned brownish rather than white as the exemplary porcelain from China. Not until later the manufactory was ready to begin producing white porcelain.

The beautiful blue service from Meissen, offered at this auction, is from approximately 1775 and its motif depicts various ship sceneries. It is signed with the characteristic crossed swords that were implemented as hallmark in 1722.

Russian tablecloth

At the separate Russian theme auction the many lots related to Russia will include a tablecloth from before the Russian revolution. This red tablecloth is made of woven cotton. In its white centre field it features the ultimate symbol of the tsarist age – the Russian double eagle in red cross-stitch.

Preview: November 22nd to 27th, Bredgade 33, 1260 Copenhagen K.

Auction: November 29th, Bredgade 33, 1260 Copenhagen K.