David Howard; and John Ayers; foreword by Nelson A. Rockefeller

An in depth analysis of porcelains produced in China for Western markets from the 16th century. The often unusual forms of the porcelain, their decorative styles and traditions, the endlessly varying subjects that they portray – and above all the continuous interchange in such themes between the Chinese manufacturers and decorators and their distant clients in the West, by means of the historic trading companies – all these are studied and interpreted more fully, and tabulated more practically for reference than ever before.

The work also examines other export goods – painted enamels, carvings in ivory or soapstone, and reverse paintings on glass, to name only a few – which are represented by notable pieces. Assembled with care over nearly fifty years, it contains much that is rare or unique. Mr. and Ms. Motteheheh have collected with clear-sighted purpose from the start, in a way no museum can hope to do so, so that today the wealth of rarities in their collection is matched only by its comprehensiveness, providing an ideal foundation for such a study.

The authors are well equipped to write a major work on this subject, John Ayers, Keeper of the Far Eastern Section at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, is a noted authority on Chinese and Japanese ceramics whose numerous writings include four volumes on the Baur Collection (Geneva, 1968-74). David Howard’s book Chinese Armorial Porcelain (London, 1974) has given an entirely new emphasis in the study of export porcelain, its design and dating, as well as the social history behind the great East India Companies. With its superb illustrations and analytical, yet highly readable text, this book offers an indispensable new source of information for the student and the collector.