Patterns of the Month: Chinoiserie

Each month we feature a new pattern from our Pattern and Source Print Database and archive them on these pages by category.

(Click on thumbnails to see larger images)

"Buffalo"

Shown on a 9.63 inch plate, this pattern was made by Spode and many other factories. Inspired by an original Chinese export porcelain design, it was one of the earliest and most popular Chinoiserie patterns. Another name for the pattern is Boy on Buffalo. Members only: for more information about this pattern and to see other similar patterns, search the Pattern and Source Print Database.

"The Apothecary"

This lovely Chinoiserie pattern by an unknown maker is found on a 12.5 inch by 10 inch platter in a pattern called The Apothecary. It is printed in black and painted in orange, apricot, brown, blue, yellow, green and pink. The pattern is copied from the work of the artist Jean Pillement, which is found in a facsimile copy of "The Ladies Amusement: Whole Art of Japanning Made Easy" by Robert Sayer, c. 1759. For more information about this pattern, see the Pattern and Source Print Database.

"New Hall Chinoiserie saucer"
Shown is a Chinoiserie pattern on a 5.75 inch saucer that was made by New Hall (1782-1835). It is printed on porcelain with a charmingly naive pattern that includes a large lion among chinamen and pagodas! To see similarly decorated patterns, search "Chinoiserie / Printed Patterns on Porcelain with Color Added" in the Pattern and Source Print Database.

"Fisherman," possibly by Minton (1793-1872), is found on a 9.25 inch plate. The pattern dates from around 1805. For more information about this pattern, see Fisherman - Minton in the Pattern and Source Print Database.

Saucer, 5 inches

Original

Willow Nankin
Saucer, 5 inches. A Caughley (1775-1779) porcelain Willow Nankin pattern that is copied almost exactly from the Chinese original, which is known as Two Birds. To learn more about this early Willow pattern, see Willow Nankin in the database.

"Chinese Market Stall." Maker Unknown. This pattern is shown on a pearlware well and tree platter measuring 13 5/8” by 18 1/4” and is printed in underglaze blue with overglaze clobbering in shades of rust red and ochre enameling on the edge. The added coloring is unusual on a pattern of this type. Found on the back is an impressed “18” mark indicating the size of the dish and a blue hand painted “X” printer's mark. The border incorporates geometric shapes and picture medallions. Examples are known both with and without the name 'Wear Sc.' at the end of a fence in the design. [Not present on this piece.] The pattern is frequently attributed to Andrew Stevenson of Cobridge, Staffordshire, on the grounds of its resemblance to other marked similar patterns. This pattern can be found the TCC Pattern and Source Print Database.

Long Bridge pattern
9.50" pearlware blue-printed plate impressed mark: SWANSEA c. 1800-10 Pattern was also made by many other potteries.

Find additional patterns and more extensive information in our Pattern and Source Print Database.

See other Patterns of the Month by category:

Advertising	Aesthetic	American	Animals	British Themes	Children's
Chinoiserie	European	Floral	Indian/Oriental	Literature	Miscellaneous	Romantic