Page 237 - The colours of each piece: production and consumption of Chinese enamelled porcelain, c.1728-c.1780

CHAPTER 6 A New Context of Porcelain Trade 1760-1770

promoted some big porcelain dealers into tea trade, which eventually made them Hong

merchants in the later period. Those regulations also eliminated some of smaller

dealers who could not afford the admission fees to participate in trade. With regard to

this situation, one would assume that the trade of porcelain might have declined. Yet

the data of the VOC and the EEIC yield the striking fact that the trade was rather

increasing, dramatically (I discuss this in the following section). If we look closer at

the records, we find a dramatic increase in enamelled porcelain that contributed a

major role in such growth. The most important factor that could be demonstrated here

is probably the increased production of local workshops at Canton.

When porcelain shops were concentrated in two main shopping streets in 1760,

with some main suppliers quitting the supply, these dealers who were engaged with

the porcelain trade would need to find a way to meet growing demand. It would be

reasonable to argue that the 1760s was a good time to set up local workshops of

enamelled porcelain manufacture.

6.6. Porcelain Trade after 1760

The examination of porcelain trade from 1760 to 1780 reveals two major facts. Firstly,

the trade of porcelain experienced growth during this period. And secondly, if we look

closer, we find that a dramatic increase of enamelled porcelain contributed a major

role to such growth. Compared with the trade of blue and white, enamelled porcelain

enjoyed a sharp increase. Jörg has provided a thorough study of the porcelain trade of

the VOC, but the discussion focuses on the wider context, such as how the trade was

shaped by the company. This section, on the contrary, draws attentions to the insights

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