Snuff taking was imported from Europe by the end of the Kangxi period and was considered very beneficial. Snuff bottles were an example of a modern design concept of form following function. They needed to be small to fit in the pocket with a small opening to keep out the damp. The best bottles came as a complete set of porcelain bottle with matching stopper, a small spoon, matching small plate, a stand and a carrying bag. These were ideal gifts (and bribes) so were appropriately decorated with motifs for health, wealth, happiness and long life.

During the Qing Dynasty significant quantities of porcelain were commissioned via trading companies by Europeans – known as “Chine de Commande”. Calculations based on Dutch East India Company records indicate some 3 million pieces of porcelain were shipped annually to Europe in the late 17^th century, and because of transport times it could take 3 years to receive your order. The size of cargos is known from the various shipwrecks that have been found. Their decoration often contained completely non-Chinese material such as coats of arms for aristocracy, landscapes and figures in a European setting (some European figures with Chinese features!) and Christian iconography.

Qianlong export porcelain with armorials,
dated marriage tea bowl has pseudo
armorial - courtesy R&G McPherson
Antiques

They even copied Meissen hard paste porcelain designs.

Qianlong soft paste copy of Meissen cup
and saucer - courtesy R&G McPherson
Antiques

Also the shapes of pieces were different and were considered exotic by the Chinese manufacturers.

Yongzheng export porcelain sugar sifter
copied from European original - courtesy
R&G McPherson Antiques

There was a huge demand in Europe for these as vases, dishes and small figures until the second half of the 18^th century when the craze for Chinese objects was largely over. In the middle of the 18^th century European “porcelain” was in the ascendancy, but European kilns could not meet the demand and it remained a luxury product. Imports from China remained high until the 19^th century, when European production became competitive. Accordingly, our Chinese journey is ended and we can now look at the other major region of ceramic development – the Middle East.