Chinese Plates

Alongside the production of porcelain in China around 600 A.D. came the innovation of plate dishware. While some Chinese plates have been made from lacquered wood, the primary medium for plate creation has historically been ceramic. These works were typically painted with jade-like blue-green celadon in the Qing-Hua blue and white style using cloisonne and other techniques.

Known for the intricately stylized and beautiful paintings decorating the surface, Chinese plates became particularly popular exports to Europeans and other Western countries during the 18th and 19th centuries. In fact, a large number of plates were created for the sole purpose of exports.

Quick Facts

• Before porcelain plates became popular amongst the average Western population, Chinese plates were in high demand by European nobility since the 14th century
• In 1708 the Europeans discovered how to create porcelain plates on their own. As the processes became more well known, nobilities began to collect plates from locally made kilns. However, people still turned to China for their unique, intricate, and stunning motifs
• During it’s height of popularity, Chinese export plates were generally not used for food, but obtained as collectors items for display purposes only