Current and coming.

Rococo exotic

The mounting of Asian porcelain in Europe dates to the Middle Ages. In the Renaissance, and even into the seventeenth century, it was the rarity of porcelain itself that was the raison d'etre for this practice. But by the middle of the eighteenth century, when porcelain was no longer a novelty, mounted Asian porcelains became the height of fashion, especially in Paris.

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In eighteenth-century France large Asian porcelains were particularly coveted, both for their quality and sheer beauty and because large pieces were not often made for the European market. Even though the Europeans could now make porcelain themselves, it was fashionable to collect more exotic examples. Encased in beautifully designed, well cast, and finely chased mounts, lustrous and colorful Asian porcelain became for French aristocrats the height of visual and aesthetic pleasure. To own and display such fine works was a sign of wealth, social distinction, and taste. By and large these handsome ceramics had no practical use. Prominently positioned on pedestals, large tables, or in special cabinets, and often set off in front of mirrors, mounted porcelain proclaimed its owner to be a person of great ...