Here are just some interesting and fun facts on Porcelain including a brief history, what some of the symbols and patterns mean in the Oriental porcelain patterns and forms, difference of ginger jar and temple jar, and vase styles.

History

Porcelain was actually invented in China. The very early Oriental porcelain was not decorated with color, but was very plain and utilitarian. It was not until Japan captured Korean potters that knew the Imari styles of the blues and white porcelain did the Oriental porcelain start to be decorated as it is now. The very original decorated porcelain was only intended for use by the Shimazu clan. Later in the seventeenth century, the Satsuma style with the 24K gold and multi-colored enamels was brought over as well. The Satsuma province itself lies in the Southern part of Kyushu Island. It was actually the Korean potters who taught the Chinese the art of the decorative porcelain. This was the beginning of a new trade, the largest being the Dutch East India Company. This expanded greatly with the Paris International Exposition in 1867. The Satsuma pieces (which are not actually porcelain, but made from the earth of the Satsuma region) became highly collectible and still are treasured today. Over time many of the Western and European families asked for their own crests and preferred designs to be painted on the porcelain as well. There was a lot of variety of porcelain that was imported from China.

 Chinese porcelain is usually thinner than Japanese and does not have the stilt marks. There are different grades of porcelain. The higher quality porcelain has been fired longer or more often. China has a reputation for high quality porcelain.

The difference between porcelain and stoneware is that stoneware will eventually deteriorate with temperature and time, such as in the dishwasher. Porcelain can withstand the temperature changes and last for generations with care.

The difference with ceramic is that porcelain will not leak liquids even where there is not glazing due to the high temperature of the firing process. Ceramic will usually eventually leak with the cracks in the glaze.

Symbols & Patterns

There are many different patterns common to Oriental porcelain, far too many for me to list here. What I find most interesting is the meaning behind the drawings or symbols. Here are some examples:

Crane – Long Life


Peacock – Blooming, Bounty


Butterfly – Happiness


Warrior – Safety, Guarding and Protection


Elephant – Good Fortune


You will find the peacock in many businesses, to bring bounty to the business. The warrior can be found in many homes for security.

Within our own patterns we carry many scenes with several ladies doing various activities together. These all represent tranquility. Showing how the women get along together under one roof. Remember this was a different time and age! There is also another scene depicting the heart warming "Blind Marriage". An extremely popular scene where the groom and his "marriage agent" or "middleman" is meeting with the bride and her "marriage arranger" or "middle man" along with the Mother of the bride.

    Blind Marriage

Ginger Jar Vs Temple Jar

Many people will commonly refer to the temple jar as a ginger jar. There is a difference. The temple jar has a temple shaped protrusion on top of the lid, the ginger jar does not. They both have the dome shaped lid. Many sellers, including myself have begun to title the temple jars both ways as a convenience to our customers.

Ginger Jar     Temple Jar

Vase Styles

Fish Tail
  Notice the neckline of the vase forming a " fish tail" towards the top of the vase.



Dragon Vase
The dragon vase actually has four dragons. One on each handle and two on the front of the vase.  The dragon legend was born in China.  There are many different sizes and shapes of dragons.  When displayed they are believed to ward off evil.

There are several other styles of vases as well.  Many more than I can list as well.  Many of these you can recognize by the shape of the "handles" on the side of the neck of the vase.  There is the butterfly, elephant and grace just to name a few.    There is also the wider vase with the narrow neck, called the wine vase.  The very wide vase that is the bell vase.

Umbrella Stands

These were originally used as storage containers for the arrows the warriors used for weapons. They needed a large number of arrows at all times.

Mini Umbrella Stands

These were originally used as storage containers for the quill pens used on scrolls. Since these were long pens used in a brush stroke style of writing, these containers were ideal for their size being taller than our modern pens in height.