Several hundreds of years ago, Chinese tea sets were introduced to Europe and people there loved them. It seemed they just couldn't get enough. And who could blame them? The thin, paper-like items and beautiful Chinese colors were something that most people had never even dreamed of before. But there were very few around who could afford them.

And then a new kind of porcelain was made in the 18th century that sent everyone wild. Merchants immediately set off for Jingdezhen, China's porcelain capital, to see if they could get their hands on some truly great items.

What was the invention? Famille rose porcelain, which was celebrated for its colorful motifs.

When compared to earlier porcelain, Famille Rose was remarkable for how many colors it incorporated. Making such vibrant colors required much more sophisticated techniques. Painters applied their skills to these tea sets, and potters had to come up with new ways of firing the porcelain so as not to damage the delicate color pigments. The result was truly remarkable.

This caused some emperors to send their best painters down the Jingdezhen to create some truly remarkable Famille rose porcelain items.

Today, few Europeans know that Europe made its own contributions to the irresistible Famille Rose porcelain.

Obviously the new colors used in the famille rose china tea sets had to come from somewhere, but where? Historians say enamels were brought into China by European Jesuit missionaries.

Also, pigments for the colorful Famille Rose porcelain was something China needed to ship from Europe. It wasnt until much later that China learned the techniques to make them.

Famille Rose is still exported from China and across the word to this day. Sometimes, auctions are help selling antique Famille Rose china tea sets. These sets can fetch millions of dollars, as a very specialized set of collectors and Chinese tea set lovers has emerged.

Author D. Cheng has written about Chinese culture, calligraphy, and arts & crafts such as Jingdezhen china tea sets for ages. From time to time, he endorses skilled Chinese craftsmen. See samples of quality Chinese tea sets.

Posted under Tea

Chinese inventions were heralded throughout antiquity, and for good reason. A number of things from China, such as the compass, were adopted and used by people all over the world. But one invention in particular, porcelain Chinese tea sets, is widely regarded as the best item to come out of this country.

After its was brought to Europe, Europeans feverishly tried to master this Chinese art. Chinese porcelain was famous for its rock-solid structure and unforgettable shine that had become a status symbol, collectors item, and a fixture on dinner tables across the world.

In the beginning, European kilns produced almost nothing that could compete with the Chinese tea sets. Artisans just couldn't figure out the process. What's more, there didnt seem to be any of the right clay anywhere. The formula was confusing, and the firing techniques were just beyond their skill level.

Then a young European alchemist came on the scene. Just 19 years old, Johann Bottger was given the impossible task of turning lead into gold for the kind of Poland. When he failed, he was jailed for a long time. But it was during this period that he started to study how to make porcelain.

Supported by a local Duke, this young boy found the material he needed to produce pure white porcelain. It was found on the highest of mountains, and the duke was able to give him a healthy supply.

With hard work and little bit of of luck, Johann discovered the right ratio of clay and other materials to make pure white porcelain. And he built a kiln that could reach temperatures that matched those of the Chinese kilns.

He made tiny test tiles that were the first porcelain items ever made in Europe. But that was all he could do.

Eventually the complete process of making true Chinese tea sets was solved by a Jesuit missionary. At almost same moment of Johann Bottger's tests, Pere d'Entrecolles, a Jesuit priest, made his way to Chinas Jingdezhen. This is where the worlds finest porcelain china tea sets were made. After almost a decade, he published two letters that detailed the process of making Jingdezhen porcelain. Before long, factories making porcelain were established across Europe.

Some say this would be a crime nowadays, but he got away with it!

Posted under Tea