Blanc de Chine is a fine white Chinese porcelain made at the kilns of Dehua in Fujian province, known for its warm ivory or milky white colour and smooth, glassy glaze. The French name, meaning white from China, was given to the ware by European collectors.
Dehua porcelain was produced from at least the Ming dynasty, and the finest pieces date from the late Ming and early Qing periods. The kilns were especially famous for figures of Buddhist and Daoist deities, above all Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, as well as libation cups, incense burners, brush pots and small vases, often with moulded or applied decoration. Large quantities were exported to Europe in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, and the ware was copied by early European porcelain factories, including Meissen, Saint-Cloud, Chelsea and Bow. Production continued in later centuries, and many later figures exist. Collectors look for a subtle, warm tone, sharp modelling, a thinly potted body and good condition, and should be aware that dating blanc de Chine accurately can be difficult and benefits from specialist advice.
