Porcelain floor vases are among those that have widely spread influence to different parts of the world. That is because of the kind of elegance that captured the interest of no other than the head or leader of many counties including the Arab nation, Portugal and many more countries in Europe.
In fact, porcelain vases have been mandatory in some imperial houses and have been a part of home decors for specific periods of time in many areas of the world. Basically it's clay but how it was made into porcelain is something worth knowing for one to better understand why a porcelain vase or a porcelain floor vase is priced much higher than ceramic vase when they have the same kind of original material.
A Detailed Guide To Porcelain Floor Vases
Table of contents
- The first porcelain floor vases
- The fame of porcelain floor vases spreads
- Porcelain floor vases make their way to the west
- Germany succeeds in making genuine porcelain floor vases
- France and Britain develop their own brands of porcelain floor vases
- Porcelain vases in different styles
- Porcelain floor vases in varied shapes
- Porcelain vases and their color
- Where to buy porcelain vases
- Summary
- Related articles
Among the finest décors that have endeared a lot of people are porcelain floor vases. They come in a wide variety of style, shape and color which make them one of the top picks of people who wish to create their own version of a home décor. The rich history of porcelain vases as well as the discovery of the material is quite interesting such that it also captured the interest of different countries which came in contact with China. In fact, most of the countries who attempted to duplicate the kind of pottery named their materials and finished products after China. Porcelain itself is referred to by some as "fine China".
The development of the kind of porcelain ware we know of today went through several modifications and improvements that are worth knowing to fully appreciate every piece you will come across. More than just the eye-catching designs and glaze lies an evolution that may not be known to most of us.
The first porcelain floor vases
The Chinese potters of the Tang dynasty (7 - 9 AD) were the first to produce porcelain floor vases. It was discovered that by adding kaolin and porcelain stone to clay, a ceramic of unusual thinness and strength was produced. It was also translucent such that the liquid in porcelain cups could be discerned. It was China's best work of art back then when it comes to vases. In fact, most of the finest wares were made of porcelain. More progress was made in making porcelain floor vases towards the end of the Tang until the time when Jun porcelain began to make its way to the market. It should be noted that some of the earliest examples of fine reactive glazes can be found in the porcelain floor vases of this period. Reactive glazes change in hue while they are being fired, although achieving the thin material in porcelain has nothing to do with the amount of heat applied but just the simple combination of a porcelain stone and kaolin and then added to ordinary clay.
The fame of porcelain floor vases spreads
From China, porcelain wares also made their way to the lands of the Arabs. They were much admired and valued by the Arabian royalty. In time, Arabia began producing its own version of porcelain floor vases, creating a distinct mark on their version. A notable difference between antique Chinese porcelain and Arabian porcelain is the use of bright tin glazes on the latter. To accomplish this type of glaze, the porcelain is first covered with a layer of tin oxide before being painted with patterns. It is subsequently fired again. The reaction of tin with the dyes produces a glaze of exceptional brightness.
Porcelain floor vases make their way to the west
The finished products were so enticing such that porcelain floor vases extended their popularity to the western part of the world and became a fad in home decorating for sometime. The art of making porcelain was also replicated in other nations especially those whose ruling class had a trade experience with China. However, the best products are still those made from China where the art originated.
It was Portugal who was responsible for the entry of porcelain into Europe. Porcelain floor vases were shipped to the west from Portugal's trading colony in Macau. The wares immediately caught the attention and earned the great admiration of European royalty. Needless to say, European potters were commissioned to produce pottery as fine as those from China. After several failed attempts, Europe was finally able to produce something close to Chinese porcelain by adding powdered glass to the clay. However the pottery floor vases they produced were softer and not quite as resonant when tapped. These first attempts at porcelain floor vases were first used at the court of Medici in the 16th century.
Germany succeeds in making genuine porcelain floor vases
It was not until 1710 that European porcelain succeeded in equaling the porcelain of China. It was through long and assiduous efforts on the part of a German alchemist named Friederich Bottger that the first authentic porcelain pieces were made in the west. He was originally compelled by Augustus the Strong to produce gold out of base metals. Bottger soon gave up his impossible task. On the instigation of a friend, he offers to attempt creating porcelain instead. In 1710, having discovered the secret Chinese ingredients, he made his first porcelain floor vases. Soon after that, Augustus the Strong erected a porcelain factory and began producing for the rest of Europe.
France and Britain develop their own brands of porcelain floor vases
Fifty years after Bottger's success, France and Britain perfected their own porcelain pottery. The required materials were first imported from China. In time, natural sources were also discovered in Europe and they became known as China clay and China stone. The porcelain floor vases that were produced in England used powdered bone in the clay mixture. It soon became known as bone China. It is harder and more translucent than the originals. Today the craft of making porcelain floor vases is done all over the world and with the introduction of new types of dyes; the new wares are even better looking.
Given this, there are varied types of porcelain vases depending on their country of origin. They vary depending on whatever materials or methods were added in the course of developing each country's own version. What is common among all though is the base material used which is kaolin.
Porcelain vases in different styles
Not only was the history of porcelain vases rich but also their classification and style. Aside from the varied styles produced from different countries which duplicated China's work of art, there are also notable differences among China's pieces.
Chinese porcelain vases - These vases are undoubtedly the best of their kind. Not simply because China was the first to discover the art of making porcelain but because Chinese potters have perfected the art over time and those of the other countries just imitated the process in the hope of creating exactly the same fine wares and house décor.
Chinese porcelain vases bear the finest quality. They come in exquisitely painted artworks that are truly enticing. They are commonly rich in color and images such that they are often used as standalone decors. Chinese porcelain jars on the other hand often come in pairs. They are also painted in rich color and imagery but are commonly used plainly for house decorating purposes. They seem to be inseparable whether they come in pairs or trio, you will most likely see them together.
Because porcelain vases originated in China, it is not surprising that people will look forward to own an antique Chinese porcelain vase as part of his precious collections. They may not be as colorful as those made in the Arab country but their overall quality is undisputed. This is the primary reason why they have become highly sought for by collectors even among the western people who have always been captivated by the mysterious Asian culture which is depicted in almost every piece of antique Chinese vases.
What is crucial though is how to ensure you are getting a genuine piece which you can boast of owning and displaying to add a classy note to your home. Just a simple tip, buy from reliable sources only and if you feel you are not confident to decide on your own, seek an expert's help to aid you in determining genuine antique pieces of porcelain vases.
Japanese porcelain vases were equally captivating to the western people as the China porcelain did. They were also made from the material called Kaolin which was in abundance in the place. It is quite hard to identify though a Japanese porcelain vase from a Chinese vase because their style and even their paintings are almost the same.
There are two types though of Japanese porcelain that will perhaps make them distinct from those of China. Sometsuke is the type that is rather under glazed and is primarily made of cobalt blue style. Decorating is done prior to firing. The second, which is the iroe, use a different method. The mixture is fired first then added with the necessary décor before they are fired again to achieve an over glaze effect.
Antique porcelain vase - Because porcelain had spread its reach to many countries who did their best effort to produce their own line of porcelain materials, antique porcelain vases maybe found anywhere in the world depending on their maker or origins. Either these countries were successful in duplicating the products of China or accidentally created their own version the process of imitating China's. Nevertheless, any antique porcelain vase from these countries are equally attractive and worth collecting. Other than antique vases, you will also find antique porcelain jars produced along the process of perfecting the porcelain industry in all the countries which focused on the art.
What makes the antique pieces highly sought is the fact that they were made by different artists rather than produced in bulk. That is why there are practically almost no duplication in style except those pieces made by the same artist and who purposely created more of each craft.
Porcelain floor vases in varied shapes
One aspect that adds beauty to porcelain vases are their varied shapes which offer a wider variety of options for consumers. Like other vases of different materials, you will also find similar shapes in porcelain vases such as tall and large vases and even those with a twisted shape.
Tall porcelain floor vases are great for use as patio décor or when they are used for floral arrangements, they will best complement a space beside a living room furniture or any corner of the room. Tall porcelain vases are usually used as standalone decors and are often placed on top of tables or in cabinet shelves to add elegance into a room.
Large porcelain floor vases on the other hand are often seen as center pieces because they would need a wider space to flaunt their innate beauty. In most cases a large porcelain vase is used as a standalone décor because its color and the images printed on are enough to earn itself praise. Besides, using accessories such as flowers might overdo the décor and jeopardize the entire look or theme of your home.
One exciting shape found among vases is twist porcelain floor vase. Although the shape may entail a narrower space for floral arrangement, that should not be a cause of worry. After all, twist porcelain vases are attractive enough to be used as decors by themselves. The uniqueness of their style brings a touch of elegance to any room and would most likely be enough to awe your visitors and leave them asking how such art can be possible.
Porcelain vases and their color
Porcelain vases come in a very rich history telling us how they came into existence and how they spread all over the world. Contrary to that, porcelain vases do not come in many colors. They come in an array of rich imagery instead as well as ethnical representations in some of the pieces.
One of the popular colors used in porcelain vases is white. A white porcelain vase can look very simple but it exudes an unsurpassed elegance. These kinds of vases are best placed in rooms where solemnity is observed or encouraged.
White vases are also commonly used in the ancient time for burial purposes. It is a color which is a part of the Chinese word "sancai" which means three colors. Although in most cases, there are more than three colors in a sancai vase, white is often dominant, if not used as the inside color of these vases. That is because sancai vases are created by mixing white and secondary kaolin to create the different colors.
Most of white porcelain vases though are either all white in color or mixed with blue. Thus, you will see blue and white porcelain vases. Commonly, you will find blue and white vases wherein white is the basic color of the vase while blue is the painting, most of which is a dragon painted all over the body of the vase.
You will also see blue and white porcelain jars in abundance. Just like the vases, blue and white porcelain jars have dominant white color as the background while the blue color is used as the accent either in a form of animals, flowers or other designs.
Where to buy porcelain vases
Although porcelain had earned the interest of different royalties, it does not mean that average people cannot afford them. There are so many cheap porcelain vases from which anyone can get his best pick. Cheap porcelain floor vases do not also automatically bring with them inferior quality compared to expensive ones. Generally, these vases were once pricey but due to several reasons, shops decided to have them on sale. Sale normally happens when shops have excess stocks and would need to shed a few pieces. In some cases, shops just go decide to give back to their customers by offering some treats in a form of discounts.
One good option you can take to find cheap porcelain vases is by browsing the internet. You can do the shopping at the comfort of your home. There is also a wide variety to choose from. You just have to be patient so that you will be assured to pick the best that will surely fit your need.
For online shopping, you may try the following shops that offer cheap porcelain vases:
- Amazon.com - This store is the largest retailer in the United States and also offers more than just vases.
- Homedecorcenter.com - This store specializes in Chinese and Japanese white and blue vases that may be hand painted as well. You can check their online catalogue to see more of their items.
- Chinawholesaletown.com - The store offers both wholesale and retail of cheap floor vases.
If you have the luxury of time though as well as the love for shopping, you can visit stores within your locality so that you can have an actual view of the items. Other than that benefit, you will also have a chance to haggle on the price when you find something that is very attractive but goes beyond your budget. Price haggling may not be possible when you buy from online stores.
Another option to find porcelain vases that may be offered at lower prices is by checking out garage sales or flea markets. This is especially effective when you are looking for antique pieces. Take note that you can hardly find them in the market. You may find similar pieces but either you will not be assured of getting an authentic piece or you might not get them at a price you are comfortable with.
Summary
How porcelain made its way to the popularity it enjoys even in these modern days is quite interesting. It is a clear manifestation of how people of different cultures can have the same interest when it comes to house decors and other home accessories. Also, it is noted that as porcelain continued to become popular, several attempts have been exerted and along the way, accidental enhancements were discovered which comprise the different kinds of porcelain vases we know of today.
Therefore, it is not surprising to see that porcelain vases have almost become an imperative décor either in homes or offices today. This is just to mirror how porcelain greatly influenced even palatial decors in ancient time. In fact, in some countries such as the Arab and western countries, the production of these materials came as a mandate from those of the highest authority.
So, when you decide to create your own style of home decors, try to use porcelain vases. They will add a touch of elegance to your home without the necessity to spend so much. You can choose from a wide array of options from the style, the color and the shapes of these vases. Regardless of the country of origin, porcelain floor vases will surely stand out even when mixed with other modern day types of decors.