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.
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.
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.
The mystery lingered until an 18th century alchemist tried his hand. In Meissen, Germany, 19-year-old Johann Friedrich Bottger was trying to turn lead into gold for king of Poland. Of course Bottger failed, which landed him in prison. There, his interests shifted from producing gold to producing 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
The mystery lingered until an 18th century alchemist tried his hand. In Meissen, Germany, 19-year-old Johann Friedrich Bottger was trying to turn lead into gold for king of Poland. Of course Bottger failed, which landed him in prison. There, his interests shifted from producing gold to producing 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.
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.
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!
About the Author:
Author D. Cheng has written about Chinese culture, calligraphy, and arts & crafts such as Chinese tea sets for years. Occasionally, he endorses skilled Chinese craftsmen. Look at some beautiful Chinese tea sets.
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