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Chinese Reflections

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Chinese treasures and Western objects inspired by Chinese design are featured in a new book published by York Museums Trust, Chinese Reflections.

The book bears the same name as our exhibition Chinese Reflections, which opened in 2008 to celebrate the year when Beijing hosted the Olympics.

Here we feature some of the objects featured in the book, which explains the massive influence Chinese style has had on European decorative arts, culture and architecture since the 16^th century.

Trade between China and Europe dates back as far as the 1^st Century BC, when cargoes of exotic spices, textiles and precious metals reached Constantinople in Turkey, at the east of the Roman Empire.

But it wasn’t until 1498 when a sea route to China was opened up that trade expanded and travellers, missionaries and ambassadors would bring back spectacular accounts of what they had seen in the Orient.

Luxury goods began to be imported in the 16^th century and by the 1700s goods like blue and white porcelain, lacquer ware and other novelties were specifically made for export to the West.

By the late 19^th century, the Western world had also discovered bronzes, jades and calligraphy, the most ancient forms of Chinese art.

All these styles became sources of inspiration to Western craftspeople from the 17^th century onwards and led to the production of Chinoiserie, objects imitating or using Chinese designs.

Chinese Reflections is on sale from York Castle Museum shop from 31 January, 2009.