300 Treasures

Chinese porcelain ware is contained in many major art collections worldwide. The Czech Republic also has interesting collections, which, however, have not previously been very well-known to the wider public. The boom in the trade of Chinese porcelain is linked to the discovery of the trade routes to China in the 16th century. Porcelain then became a popular artistic item that adorned the residences of the richest aristocrats in other European countries, as well as in our country during the reign of Emperor Rudolf II.
Chinese porcelain can be found in a number of our castle and palace collections. The largest of these are mainly gathered in the former Waldstein, Schwarzenberg and Lichnowsky dominions, namely at Hluboká nad Vltavou, Český Krumlov, Mnichovo Hradiště, Duchcov and Hradec nad Moravicí castles.

Contents:

Some remarks on the history of Chese porcelain collecting in Europe
The beginnings of Chinese porcelain collecting in the Czech lands
Porcelain in the Wallenstin, Schwarzenberg & Lichnowsky family collections
Items in the collections
Blue and white porcelain
Porcelain with partial colour glazes and monochrome pieces
Yixing stoneware
Porcelain in famille verte colours
Armorial porcelain
Porcelain with decoration added in Central and Western Europe
Porcelain decorated in the Chinese Imari style
Porcelain decorated in famille rose and encre de chine enamels
Porcelain for the Chinese domestic market
Secondary use of porcelain
Figural porcelain

Bibliography
List of Plates
Index