漂洋過海的中國藍

漂洋過海的中國藍

從 18世紀至今，歐洲最受歡迎的瓷器格調之一就是中國的青花藍白風格，這種風格幾乎被所有的西方陶藝制作商仿制，深得王公貴族喜愛。

青花瓷最早在唐宋出現，但真正傳至歐洲，則是在明代萬歷年間以后。公元 1602 年，荷蘭東印度公司在海上捕獲一艘葡萄牙商船——“克拉克號”，船上裝有大量來自中國的青花瓷器，因不明瓷器產地，歐洲人把這種瓷器命名為“克拉克瓷”。

16世紀東西方海上航路開通，雙方從此開始了直接、持續和大規模的貿易交往。克拉克瓷是中西貿易中最早出現的成批量的外銷瓷種類，其特點是寬邊，在盤、碗的口沿繪分格及圓形開光的山水、人物、花卉、果實等。萬歷克拉克青花盤使用浙料繪畫，有翠藍、灰藍、淡藍幾種色調，畫師們熟練地運筆，無論勾、點、染皆隨心所欲，自然灑脫。

在所有西方所知的瓷器風格中，青花“柳樹紋飾”排名最高。據說這種風格最早是 1790 年前后由喬夏·斯波德從一種被稱為“滿大人”的中國原始風格沿襲而來。“滿大人”是西方人對外銷瓷器上描繪的清裝人物的稱呼，他們通過陶瓷裝飾來對他們印象中的中國進行報道，形象生動地向人們展示這一時代中國上層社會生活狀況。而西方人對青花瓷的喜愛也可以從這首廣為流傳的兒歌中看出幾分：

兩只鳥兒高高飛過

一艘中國大船靜靜駛過

三四個行人從橋上走過

柳樹枝條在岸邊搖曳

不遠處有一座中國寺廟

在河邊靜靜屹立

還有一棵果實豐碩的蘋果樹被彎彎曲曲的籬笆包圍著

Canton1840 is an initiator of mobile museums. Mr. Wen Shi, the late owner of the Canton1840 mobile museum, has been collecting forty thousand items representing Lingnan region culture and European culture in over forty years. (WeChat: canton1840)

文仕文化博物檔案館是“近代海絲文化流動博物館”概念的創導者。前館長文仕先生歷經 40多年對珠江嶺南地域文化及歐洲百年文化的搜集，收藏了近 40000 件博物館級珍貴史料文物。（官微“canton1840”）

ORIENTAL LANDSCAPE ACROSS THE OCEANS

Text & Photos Providel by Canton1840 Translation by Leo

文圖由文仕文化博物檔案館提供

From the 18th century, the favorite porcelain product in Europe was the Chinese Qinghua Lanbai (blue and white with floral decorations), a style that was

much loved by the aristocrats and copied by almost all Western artisans.

Qinghua porcelain first appeared in the Tang and Song Dynasty, but the fine wares only made it to Europe during and after the reign of Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty.

Founded in 1602, the Dutch East India Company often captured Portuguese merchant vessels that were called Carracks. These vessels were often loaded with Qinghua porcelain. However, uncertain about its origins, the Dutch named it Kraak porcelain. During the 16th century, the maritime trading route between the East and West became connected. This was the beginning of direct, continuous, and large-scale trade between the two. Kraak porcelain was the earliest type of porcelain that was exported on a large scale from China to Europe. The unique designs and patterns of Kraak porcelain made it extremely popular in Europe. These plates and bowls were characterized by their width as well as depictions of landscapes, people, flowers, and fruits on surfaces and rims. Kraak porcelain were colored using Zheliao (the pigment responsible for coloring the wares), which can be divided into colours bright blue, grayish blue, and pale blue. Artisans used brushes to skillfully produce, dots, or shading that together create natural and delightful patterns.

Of all the European porcelain styles the Willow Pattern was perhaps the most revered and sought after. This style is believed to be inspired by the Mandarin series of Chinese porcelain that were imported in the 1790s by Josiah Spode. The Europeans gave the title of Mandarin to any individuals depicted in the porcelain wearing Qing Dynasty garbs. People studied the patterns and decorations on the porcelain to learn about everyday life in China as well as the trappings, activities, and various details of the Chinese upper class. In other words, the porcelain was a window through which the West learned about China. The European love for Qinghua porcelain could also be appreciated in this popular children's song∶

Two pigeons flying high, Chinese vessels sailing by. Weeping willow hanging o'er, Bridge with three men - if not four. Chinese temple, there it stands, Seems to cover all the land. Apple tree with apples on, A pretty fence to end my song.