China pottery and ceramics has 4200 years of history and it was only after 1700 years later were the west able to figure out how to make it.

For centuries the true nature of the composition and manufacture of porcelain remained a secret. Only in the 18th century did an alchemist in Europe, Friedrich Böttger, accidentally discover its composition while trying to turn base metal into gold.

The enthusiasm the English, European and American trade market displayed for oriental goods from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries inspired the creation of porcelain in the west.

The word ‘China’ eventually became the generic name for porcelain, so successfully had its potential as an export trade ware been exploited by the west at the end of the nineteenth century.

According to an old Chinese adage and that wise old philosopher Confucius “Knowledge comes from seeing much”. This is a particularly relevant comment for those studying antiques and art, most especially ceramics, which began to become known to the wider world from the Chinese Tang Dynasty (618- 907) onward.

Authentication of Chinese ceramics is a very complex and controversial subject, due to the evolving manufacturing techniques, material and great variety of kilns existed in different stages and different parts throughout China.

For the most part, using the dating period of Chinese Dynasties, or the ruling period of an Emperor to assign dates to Chinese ceramic wares and their development, is more than difficult. At all stages during their stylistic and technical development there was a good deal of overlapping and copying of a previous dynasty’s designs.

We do not pretend to be expert on China antique ceramics nor do we claim all artefacts on display are contemporary to the date and period. We aspire to be the best of our knowledge to present these artefacts in their truest and most original forms. The intent of this website is to appreciate and share the nicety and creativity of the Chinese craftsman in creating such fine ceramics.