Blanc De Chine: The Great Porcelain of Dehua [Hardcover]

Robert H. Blumenfield (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2002

Beginning in the mid-thirteenth century, the kilns of Dehua, capital of the Fujian Province in southeast China, began producing brilliant white porcelain pieces, the likes of which had never been seen before. These pieces were originally crafted with only domestic markets in mind, for use as cooking and serving ware, or for decoration or religious purposes. But as Chinese artifacts made their way around the world, overland on the Silk Route and in the hull of the occasional trading vessel, a significant market for these porcelains blossomed in Europe, where they were prized for their refinement of form and finish. Written by one of the leading collectors in the field, BLANC DE CHINE: THE GREAT PORCELAIN OF CHINA weaves together the most engaging, authoritative story of this precious art ever told. Today, blanc de Chine are some of the most sought after collectibles in the world of Chinese art, their aesthetic appeal lying in their stark shapes and color, and their impossibly delicate, glasslike glaze. For the connoisseur, author Robert Blumenfield presents dazzling photographs and important research findings obtained from private collections and other blanc de Chine resources around the world. For the novice collector, Blumenfield details the differences between true blanc de Chine and other, less distinguished white wares. For the Asian art enthusiast, he provides a rich historical account of the evolution of the form, and the character and technical mastery that distinguish its finest pieces. A major contribution to the field , BLANC DE CHINE will be treasured by all who appreciate the breathtaking beauty and fascinating tradition of this exquisite art.

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About the Author

ROBERT H. BLUMENFIELD purchased his first piece of blanc de Chine, a Guanyin figure, about 20 years ago, and has since developed one of the most comprehensive private collections in the world. His enthusiasm for the subject has sent him all over the world, including to Dehua itself, in researching this book. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Pr; Limited edition (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580083013
• ISBN-13: 978-1580083010
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

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4.0 out of 5 stars The great white porcelains of China - a connoisseur's notes & records, December 25, 2010

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K. Maxwell "katmax1" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Blanc de Chine: The Great Porcelain of Dehua (Hardcover)

Written in 2002 this book is an attempt by a long term connoisseur of Chinese blanc de chine (aka Dehua ) porcelain to record what he has learnt though great effort over the years and pass it on. The book takes you though the history of this type of porcelain and what seperates it from other white porcelains both in China and Europe. Fortunatley the book also discusses technical aspects of the porcelain, how to identify fakes and the past great Chinese masters of Dehua.

If you are a collector of this type of porcelain then this book is one you should have in your collection if only for the various examples of the china he has illustrated from various public and private collections. Even if you can never afford to own an original Dehua piece from the 17th century (the best period, along with the early 18th century) this is an interesting specialist book on a type of chinese porcelain that is probably more appreciated in the west than the east these days if the state of modern knowledge on the porcelain makers in Dehua is anything to go by.