Porcelain: From China’s Tang Dynasty to Europe’s White Gold

61 products

61 products
Pair of ornate Samson porcelain vases with gilt bronze mounts and polychrome enamel, sold by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Samson vases with polychrome enamel and gilt bronze mounts by Nicholas Wells Antiques, France circa 1890
Pair of Important Samson Vases With Gilt Bronze Mounts
Nicholas Wells Antiques
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Napoleon III ormolu and Sevres porcelain clock set with candelabras by Nicholas Wells Antiques circa 1870
Antique Napoleon III ormolu and Sevres porcelain clock base with detailed gilded floral and face motifs by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Napoleon III Ormolu and Sevres Porcelain Clock Set
Nicholas Wells Antiques
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Pair of early 18th century Arita porcelain vases with cobalt blue floral patterns and mythic Temple Lion tops by Collection EE20
Early 18th century Arita porcelain vase with unfinished cobalt blue and white design from Collection EE20
Important Pair of Arita Porcelain Vases
Collection EE20
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Napoleon III Sevres style pink porcelain dessert service with floral patterns by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Napoleon III Sevres style pink porcelain dessert plates with fruit motifs by Nicholas Wells Antiques
A Napoleon III Sevres Style Pink Porcelain Dessert Service
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Large 19th-century Qing Dynasty Chinese porcelain vase with colorful floral and guardian lion designs by Collection EE20
Large 19th-century Chinese Qing Dynasty vase with lid, vibrant colors, Foo Dogs, by Collection EE20, 63cm tall porcelain piece
Large Chinese Qing Dynasty Vase and Cover
Collection EE20
Nine decorative porcelain plates from Worcester Queen Charlotte pattern, elegant design by Collection TH10
Regency porcelain teacup and saucer with ornate Worcester Queen Charlotte pattern by Collection TH10
Worcester Queen Charlotte pattern composite service 65 pc’s
Collection TH10
Two large 19th century Canton Chinese export vases with covers from Collection EE20, both with notable damage.
Large 19th-century Canton Chinese export vase with intricate painted scenes, part of Collection EE20 with lid and wear marks
Two Large Canton Chinese Export Vases and Covers
Collection EE20
Late 19th century Calamander wood vitrine cabinet with ormolu and porcelain accents by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Ornate ormolu lion head detail and porcelain medallion on Nicholas Wells Antiques calamander wood cabinet
Late 19th Century Calamander Wood Vitrine Cabinet
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Chinese Famille Rose Mounted Vase as a Lamp with floral and pheasant design, baluster form, and blue fabric lampshade.
Chinese Famille Rose Mounted Vase as a Lamp with ornate gold mount and intricate floral porcelain design.
Chinese Famille Rose Mounted Vase as a Lamp
Collection CK40
Fine porcelain ormolu mantel clock with courting couple scenes by Nicholas Wells Antiques circa 1880 France
A Fine Porcelain Mounted Ormolu Mantel Clock
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Mid Century Blue Etruscan porcelain cushion stool with intricate rope-twist borders by Collection TH20
Mid Century Blue Etruscan porcelain cushion stool with goddess motif by Collection TH20, Italian vintage design circa 1950
Mid Century Blue Etruscan Porcelain ‘Cushion’ Stool
Collection TH20
Chinese Blue and white table lamps featuring birds and vases motifs on porcelain with wooden bases, circa 1950.
Chinese Blue and white table lamps with bird and vase designs on wooden bases, circa 1950, 50 cm tall.
Chinese Blue and white table lamps
Collection CK40
Pair of Ox Blood Glazed Porcelain Bottle Vases as Table Lamps with one lamp shade and one vase without shade.
Pair of Ox Blood Glazed Porcelain Bottle Vases as Table Lamps with one lamp and one vase on a gray background
Pair of Ox Blood Glazed Porcelain Bottle Vases as Table Lamps
Collection EE10
Large Rose Medallion Canton punch bowl with hand-painted floral and bird motifs from Collection CK20.
Close-up of antique Large Rose Medallion Canton punch bowl with hand-painted floral and figure design by Collection CK20
Large Rose Medallion Canton Punch Bowl
Collection CK20
Pair of amber crystalline-glazed table lamps
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of gourd-shaped ceramic lamps with caramel and ivory crystalline glaze by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Nicholas Wells Antiques ceramic lamps with warm caramel and ivory crystalline glaze in gourd shapes
Pair of Gourd-Shaped Crystalline Glazed Lamps
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Double-Gourd Crystalline Glaze Ceramic Table Lamps
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Matched Pair of Chinese Export Ginger Jar Lamps with traditional motifs, China circa 1865, 36 cm height each.
Matched Pair of Chinese Export Ginger Jar Lamps with intricate designs, circa 1865, 36 cm tall, 24 cm diameter each.
Matched Pair of Chinese Export Ginger Jar Lamps
Collection EE20
Large pear-shaped celadon table lamps with crystalline glaze by Nicholas Wells Antiques, elegant classical design
A Fine Pair of Large Pear-Shaped Celadon Table Lamps with Crystalline Glaze by Nicholas Wells Antiques
A Fine Pair of Large Pear-Shaped Celadon Table Lamps with Crystalline Glaze
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Meiping-form ceramic table lamps with blue-mottled brown glaze by Nicholas Wells Antiques, featuring white shades
Pair of Meiping-Form Ceramic Table Lamps with Blue-Mottled Brown Glaze
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of blue crystalline glaze ceramic table lamps by Nicholas Wells Antiques with elegant baluster shapes and creamy shades
Pair of blue crystalline glaze ceramic table lamps by Nicholas Wells Antiques with one lamp featuring a pleated ivory shade
Pair of blue crystalline glaze ceramic table lamps
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Chinese Canton Vases Mounted as Table Lamps, 19th century porcelain with court scene decoration.
Pair of Chinese Canton Vases Mounted as Table Lamps with colorful 19th century porcelain court scenes and pleated shade.
Pair of Chinese Canton Vases Mounted as Table Lamps
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Canton Porcelain Vases Mounted as Table Lamps with intricate 19th century Chinese designs and one with pleated shade.
Pair of Canton Porcelain Vases Mounted as Table Lamps, 19th century Chinese vases with detailed colorful designs.
Pair of Canton Porcelain Vases Mounted as Table Lamps
Nicholas Wells Antiques
A Chinese Export Black Glazed and Gilt Table Lamp with 18th-century baluster vase and floral bird design.
A Chinese Export Black Glazed and Gilt Table Lamp with 18th century black glaze and gilt floral design.
A Chinese Export Black Glazed and Gilt Table Lamp
Collection EE20
Pair of blue crystalline glazed ceramic vase lamps by Nicholas Wells Antiques with white shades and gold trim
Pair of blue crystalline glazed vase lamps by Nicholas Wells Antiques with rich cobal crystal formations on ceramic bases
Pair of Blue Crystalline Glazed Vase Lamps
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair of Chinese Porcelain Candlestick Stand Lamps with brown glaze and polychrome dragon designs, circa 1965.
Pair of Chinese Porcelain Candlestick Stand Lamps with brown glaze and polychrome dragons, circa 1965, 36.5 cm tall.
Pair of Chinese Porcelain Candlestick Stand | Lamps
Collection EE10
Pair of Samson Porcelain Jars Mounted as Table Lamps with famille rose birds, insects, and peonies decoration
Samson Porcelain Jars Mounted as Table Lamps with famille rose birds and peonies on octagonal baluster jars.
Samson Porcelain Jars Mounted as Table Lamps
Collection CK40
Pair of Celadon Blue Double Gourd Vase Table Lamps with pale blue monochrome finish and cream fabric shade.
Pair of Celadon Blue Double Gourd Vase Table Lamps in pale blue monochrome with Chinese seal mark on base.
Pair of Celadon Blue Double Gourd Vase Table Lamps
Collection EE20
Pair of pink crystalline glazed spherical vase lamps by Nicholas Wells Antiques with soft ivory background and rose-pink blooms
Pair of pink crystalline glazed spherical vase lamps by Nicholas Wells Antiques with pleated ivory lamp shade
Pair of Pink Crystalline Glazed Vase Lamps
Nicholas Wells Antiques
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19th century Chinese export porcelain bowl with floral panels, Islamic market design, offered by Nicholas Wells Antiques
Close-up of Nicholas Wells Antiques 19th century Chinese export porcelain bowl with blue floral and bird design panel
Chinese Export Porcelain Bowl for the Islamic Market
The Sold Archive
Powder Blue Chinese Table Lamp with ceramic powder blue vase base and cream pleated lampshade, 27 cm height.
Powder Blue Chinese Table Lamp with a ceramic vase base and pleated cream fabric shade, elegant bedside or living room lighting.
Powder Blue Chinese Table Lamp
Collection EE10
Monochrome Lilac Vase as a Table Lamp with pleated beige shade, Chinese porcelain, available in two sizes.
Monochrome Lilac Vase as a Table Lamp with pleated cream shade and smooth lilac porcelain base against dark background.
Monochrome Lilac Vase as a Table Lamp
Collection EE20
Monochrome Green Crackle Glaze Table Lamp with green porcelain base and white lampshade, 20th century design, circa 1950.
Monochrome Green Crackle Glaze Table Lamp with vintage Chinese porcelain base and UK EU US wiring circa 1950.
Monochrome Green Crackle Glaze Table Lamp
Collection EE20
Kangxi Blue and White Porcelain Cachepot Table lamp with hand-painted cobalt floral design and pleated cream lampshade.
Kangxi Blue and White Porcelain Cachepot Table lamp with intricate cobalt floral patterns on rounded vintage porcelain base.
Kangxi Blue and White Porcelain Cachepot Table lamp
Collection EE20
Chinese Sang de Boeuf Glazed Vase mounted as a Table lamp with pleated cream shade and gilt wooden base.
Chinese Sang de Boeuf Glazed Vase mounted as a Table lamp with glossy deep red finish and water gilt wooden base.
Chinese Sang de Boeuf Glazed Vase mounted as a Table lamp
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Paris Porcelain Pink and Gold over White Glazed Porcelain Vase Mounted as a Table Lamp with pleated shade
Paris Porcelain Pink and Gold over White Glazed Porcelain Vase Mounted as a Table Lamp with a pleated shade
Paris Porcelain Pink and Gold over White Glazed Porcelain Vase Mounted as a Table Lamp
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Swedish Mid Century Porcelain Vase – By Rorstrand
Collection EE10
Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Mug
Collection TH10
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Chinese Sang de Boeuf Vase mounted as a table lamp with pleated white shade, China, circa 1980, height 27 cm.
Chinese Sang de Boeuf Vase mounted as a table lamp with red glaze and cream pleated lampshade, circa 1980.
Chinese Sang de Boeuf Vase mounted as a table lamp
Nicholas Wells Antiques
Royal Worcester 1970s gold lustre teapot with elegant curved handle, offered by Nicholas Wells Antiques.
Vintage Royal Worcester 1970s gold lustre teapot, elegant design by Nicholas Wells Antiques, classic English porcelain piece
Royal Worcester 1970’s Porcelain Gold Lustre Teapot
Nicholas Wells Antiques

Porcelain is a type of ceramic material that is characterised by its hardness, whiteness, and translucency. It is made from a mixture of kaolin (a type of clay), feldspar, and quartz, which is fired at high temperatures (around 1200-1400°C) to produce a hard and dense material.

Chinese Porcelain

The discovery is believed to have originated in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). However, it was not until the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) that porcelain production became widespread and well-developed. Chinese porcelain became highly prized and was exported to many countries along the Silk Road, including the Middle East and Europe. The process of porcelain production was a closely guarded secret in China, and it was not until the 18th century that European potters were able to successfully replicate the process. The discovery of kaolin in Europe revolutionised the pottery industry and had a significant impact on European trade with China.

European Porcelain

Meissen is generally credited with being the first European factory to discover how to make 'white gold'. In the early 18th century, the Saxon ruler Augustus the Strong ordered that a secret formula for making porcelain be found, as he wished to break the Chinese monopoly on the prized material. After many years of experimentation, a young alchemist named Johann Friedrich Böttger, working under the direction of the mathematician and philosopher Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus, succeeded in producing hard-paste porcelain at Meissen in 1708.
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