Canton Enamel

Named after the city where it was first manufacture, Canton enamel is painted onto a cooper, ceramic and other earthenware pieces.  Originally, the technique was developed in Ligomes, France in the 17th century and brought to China by French missionaries. According to records, the earliest example of Canton enamel dates back to approximately 1740.
Although it has been applied to a wide variety of different pieces, The pieces that have become perhaps the most synonymous with the words "Canton enamel" are metals. Most pieces depicted “Courtyard life” in China, and decorated with elaborate floral borders. Vases, plates, cups and tea sets made out of cooper were the earliest pieces.  Once the artwork was completed, the pieces were heated to bond it firmly to the surface, creating a colorful piece that exudes color and liveliness.  As its popularity increased, artisans began to use other materials to meet the demand of this beautiful work.   Artisans began to use stoneware and porcelain.   Eventually, it began to be produced in other cities.

Porcelain tea sets made during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries are considered real art works. Today, they are classified into color palettes used in each piece.  Colors used included famille verte (greens), wucai (bright colors), and fencai (pale colors). Most Canton enamel pieces are generally created with famille rose (red colors), which tend to be opaque and translucent.  A Canton enamel using famille rose typically include red, peach, yellow, and opaque white.  The opaque color scheme tends to give Canton enamel a delicate quality not seen in other pieces from China.
Collectors like to find pieces from the early eighteenth century since they tend to be tea sets, cups and plates.  Twentieth century pieces are far more commercialized; finding a unique piece is quite difficult, but you can still find beautiful trays, tea sets and other ornamental décor pieces.