
- Basin
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Basin
- Place of origin:
Jingdezhen (made)
- Date:
ca. 1745-50 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Unknown
- Materials and Techniques:
Porcelain painted in overglaze enamels and gilding
- Credit Line:
Salting Bequest
- Museum number:
C.1473-1910
- Gallery location:
Ceramics, Room 145, case 22, shelf 3
This basin was produced at the kilns of Jingdezhen in southeast China in the mid 18th century, and made specifically for export. The shape copies European handbasins made of metalwork.
In the 18th century Europeans greatly admired the white and resistant body of Chinese porcelain, available at low cost, but in addition to traditional shapes and designs, they also ordered tableware and household objects made in imitation of western items. The East India trading companies supplied models and patterns from Europe to Chinese potters, who could copy them using their skills and local resources.