C W

Cobbett's Wey DFAS is grateful for the support offered by The Farnham Herald.

Cobbett’s Wey DFAS March Lecture
'Heritage from the Orient: the birth of European Porcelain'

Amanda Herries Curator at the Museum of London in the decorative Arts section gave a most illuminating lecture on how European porcelain was spawned from China and Japan.

She explained how in 10^th Century China developed the method of  producing the translucent ceramic material called porcelain from kaolin and petuntse, because of it's qualities it could be shaped and painted  decoratively, using cobalt supplied by Iran. It was traded along the silk route, and by sea trade, and pirating which allowed it to reach Europe. It became highly valued in Europe, where everyday items such as rice bowls, were embellished in Europe with gold or silver, to make the items into usable objects for the market.

In 1644 the Ming dynasty came to an end, and the porcelain trade was ended. Portuguese traders who were making a fortune from the trade of porcelain, paid Chinese craftsmen to move to Japan. Originally the porcelain they produced was similar in style to the blue wear from China, over the years Japanese porcelain developed its own unique style.

By  the 1700's the European market was immense and  pieces very expensive, which is why you see porcelain featuring in many pictures of the period, as it was so highly valued.

Delft was the first porcelain developed in Europe followed by Meissen and Sevres, and then to Bow where Chelsea Bow was produced for the middle class, all these companies’ copied Japanese and Chinese patterns to begin with before developing their own style.

CWDFAS is a member of NADFAS

Cobbett’s Wey DFAS February Lecture
Sleeping Beauties: The Hidden Treasures of Irish Country Houses

 
Tom Duncan who gave the lecture was born and bred in Ireland, and having retired from University Life, now lectures and conducts tours in Ireland and the Mediterranean basin.

The quality of his lecture on the Country Houses of Ireland, showed the depth of knowledge he has, not only of his subject but about the region too.

His explanation of how Ireland evolved from having fortified castles to grand country houses was informative and amusing. The gentry having met up with architects such as Timploy, Adam, Chambers and Nash, on the grand tour, employed either their skills or style to create their magnificent homes in Ireland.

Some of these gracious homes have been allowed to deteriorate because of the cost of upkeep. However it is now  realised what these treasures contribute to the history of Ireland and efforts are being made to preserve and restore some of the houses.

The next lecture on March 23 is ‘Heritage from the Orient: the Birth of European Porcelain‘.

GO TO PRESS ARCHIVE NOVEMBER 2004 & JANUARY 2005