Lamps in Antique Blue and White

By: Maurice Robertson

Chinese blue and white porcelain has always been a favorite with collectors, but we need to go to the long history of China to find the beginning of blue and white’s popularity. It was as early as the 9th century when the first or, prototype blue and white was fired during the Tang dynasty. But we need to fast forward to the early 14th century when the production of fine translucent blue and white porcelain began at the Imperial kilns at Jingdezhen. Jingdezhen was sometimes known as the porcelain capital of China, although at this time and for the following 300 years, it in fact was the porcelain capital of the world, as it was not until the early 18th century that porcelain began to be experimentally made in Saxony.

It was Persia which originally supplied the “Persian blue” to the Chinese porcelain makers; it was, of course, cobalt oxide which put the blue in blue and white! Cobalt was one of the valuable commodities traded along the famous Silk Road and was of such importance to the Chinese that it was traded for bolts of pure silk.

The great European love affair with Chinese blue and white was started by the Portuguese in the 16th century. It was eventually taken over by the Dutch who were the great shippers of Chinese ceramics to the West. The love affair still retains its passion with blue and white still as popular as ever.

Interior lighting is a most important element in decoration and can influence the “mood” of a room in a variety of ways, by example, soft romantic lighting.

Table lamps offer “that something extra” providing a refined and finished look to an interior. Blue and white with its bright, cobalt blue and bright white always keeps its fresh, clean look. A blue and white room is a sight to behold and how better lit than with blue and white lamps.

A fine pair of Chinese export 19th century blue and white, mirror image, baluster shaped table lamps. The lamps decorated in the traditional “New Year” style.

A rich cobalt blue “cracked ice” ground with plum blossom, reserved in-the-white. In traditional China,this decoration was displayed at the festival of New Year and symbolised the ice giving way to spring.

The lamps on turned maple wood stands, water gilded.

Circa 1840 Overall height (including shades) 23"/58.5cm

The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co currently have a choice range of antique, Chinese, blue and white table lamps as single lamps or pairs.

You are invited to visit their web site at www.antiquelampshop.com

Please remember that The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co ship lamps, ready wired for the U.S, the U.K and Australia.

© The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co 2008

About the Author

Maurice Robertson, principal of The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co , has had a lifetime’s association with antique porcelain and pottery. From an early age he recalls picking up tea cups, looking for the mark on the base, discerning the maker.

His long experience with antique ceramics and glass also includes dealing with leading museums and numerous international private collections.

Extending his ceramics expertise into the quality table lamps seen on the company’s site, he is well known to local and international interior designers who have included many of his table lamps in their projects and has also supplied items of national interest to the official Sydney residence of the Australian Prime Minister.



Remember, table lamps are not meant to illuminate a room as per overhead lighting, but are selectively placed to provide a softer pool of light accentuating and complimenting the décor and “feeling” of a room.

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