Your European Fine China Tea Set Actually Came From China?

China hasnt always been trying to catch up with the West. As early as the Middle Ages, the Chinese invented printing, gun powder, and the compass. The famous British philosopher Francis Bacon described these three inventions as those that had changed the whole face and state of things throughout the world. This was also the case with fine porcelain Chinese tea sets, which was perfected by the Chinese centuries before Europe even had a clue.

But after these great tea sets were introduced to Europe, Westerners couldn’t get enough and local artisans tried to master this art. Chinese porcelain was so fine and elegant, even princes and kings wanted some, and even just having one such item in your home became a huge status symbol.

For many years, Western kilns produced almost nothing in the same league as China’s tea sets. They had no idea how the Chinese did it. What’s more, there didnt seem to be any of the pure white clay anywhere.

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.

It was with the support of a local leader who was simple obsessed with porcelain that Johann was able to get a hold of the clay he needed to produce truly great items. Now he had the materials, the only question was the technique.

Eventually, Johann figured it out! After many failed attempts, he started mixing the proper materials together with the precious clay and produced his first porcelain item. He also constructed a kiln that could compete with those in China.

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

The rest of the mystery was solved by a Jesuit missionary in China. At about the same time of Johann Bottger’s experiments, Pere d’Entrecolles, a Jesuit priest, made his way into Chinas Jingdezhen, where the worlds best porcelain was made. Seven years later he published two voluminous letters that detailed the process of making Jingdezhen porcelain. And before long, factories making porcelain were established across Europe.

This may have been one of the earliest acts of industrial espionage!

Author D. Cheng has written about Chinese history and handicrafts such as porcelain china tea sets for ages. Sometimes, he endorses skilled Chinese craftsmen. See samples of quality China tea sets.

Your European Fine China Tea Set Actually Came From China?

China hasnt always been trying to catch up with the West. As early as the Middle Ages, the Chinese invented printing, gun powder, and the compass. The famous British philosopher Francis Bacon described these three inventions as those that had changed the whole face and state of things throughout the world. This was also the case with fine porcelain Chinese tea sets, which was perfected by the Chinese centuries before Europe even had a clue.

But after these great tea sets were introduced to Europe, Westerners couldn’t get enough and local artisans tried to master this art. Chinese porcelain was so fine and elegant, even princes and kings wanted some, and even just having one such item in your home became a huge status symbol.

For many years, Western kilns produced almost nothing in the same league as China’s tea sets. They had no idea how the Chinese did it. What’s more, there didnt seem to be any of the pure white clay anywhere.

But then, a very young Chemist started trying to learn how to produce porcelain. Not even 20 years old, Johann Bottger was trying to turn lead into gold for a famous king. When he was unsuccessful, he was locked up. But while in prison, 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.

For a while, only tiny items like porcelain tiles and other small trinkets came out of their kiln. It was all they could do, but they were still the best items available in Europe.

The rest of the mystery was solved by a Jesuit missionary in China. At about the same time of Johann Bottger’s experiments, Pere d’Entrecolles, a Jesuit priest, made his way into Chinas Jingdezhen, where the worlds best porcelain was made. Seven years later he published two voluminous letters that detailed the process of making Jingdezhen porcelain. And before long, factories making porcelain were established across Europe.

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

D. Cheng has studied Chinese history and handicrafts such as bone china tea sets for ages. Occasionally, he endorses skilled Chinese craftsmen. See samples of quality Chinese tea sets.

Your European Fine China Tea Set Actually Came From China?

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.

But after these great tea sets were introduced to Europe, Westerners couldn’t get enough and local artisans tried to master this art. Chinese porcelain was so fine and elegant, even princes and kings wanted some, and even just having one such item in your home became a huge status symbol.

For many years, Western kilns produced almost nothing in the same league as China’s tea sets. They had no idea how the Chinese did it. What’s more, there didnt seem to be any of the pure white clay anywhere.

But then, a very young Chemist started trying to learn how to produce porcelain. Not even 20 years old, Johann Bottger was trying to turn lead into gold for a famous king. When he was unsuccessful, he was locked up. But while in prison, he started to study how to make porcelain.

With the support of porcelain-infatuated August the Strong, Johann found the right clay high in the Alps, and August gave him a constant 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.

In the beginning, they only made tiles and other small items. It was a start, but they still had a long way to go before they could match the beauty of the Chinese tea sets.

Around the same time of Johann’s tests, Pere d’Entrecolles, a Jesuit priest, made his way to Chinas Jingdezhen. This is where the worlds most amazing china tea sets were made. After some time studying, he published two books detailing the process of making Jingdezhen porcelain. Before long, factories making porcelain were set up across Europe.

This may have been one of the earliest acts of industrial espionage!

D. Cheng has studied Chinese history and handicrafts such as porcelain china tea sets for years. Occasionally, he endorses skilled Chinese craftsmen. Check out some excellent Chinese tea sets.

Your European Fine China Tea Set Actually Came From China?

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.

But after these great tea sets were introduced to Europe, Westerners couldn’t get enough and local artisans tried to master this art. Chinese porcelain was so fine and elegant, even princes and kings wanted some, and even just having one such item in your home became a huge status symbol.

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.

With the support of porcelain-infatuated August the Strong, Johann found the right clay high in the Alps, and August gave him a constant supply.

Eventually, Johann figured it out! After many failed attempts, he started mixing the proper materials together with the precious clay and produced his first porcelain item. He also constructed a kiln that could compete with those in China.

In the beginning, they only made tiles and other small items. It was a start, but they still had a long way to go before they could match the beauty of the Chinese tea sets.

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.

Was this the earliest industrial espionage?

Author D. Cheng has written about Chinese history and handicrafts such as bone china tea sets for years. Sometimes, he endorses skilled Chinese craftsmen. See samples of quality China tea sets.

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