In an imaginative reversal of Asian blue-on-white porcelain, these English earthenwares feature delicate white painting on a dark blue background. Called bleu persan, this technique was developed by French potters who were inspired by the dark opaque glazes of ancient Persian pottery. In England, this evocative blue ground was decorated most often with the "Chinese Figure" pattern, adding a Far Eastern motif to a Near Eastern glaze.
Cistern, 1675–1685
London, England
"Bleu Persan" tin-glazed earthenware
Lent by the Chipstone Foundation 1991.17
Porringer, 1680–1700
London, England
"Bleu Persan" tin-glazed earthenware
Lent by a private collection
Mug, 1680–1700
London, England
"Bleu Persan"
tin-glazed earthenware
Lent by a private collection
Mug, 1680–1700
London, England
"Bleu Persan"
tin-glazed earthenware with silver mount
Lent by a private collection
Meat Pot, 1680–1700
London, England
"Bleu Persan" tin-glazed earthenware
Lent by a private collection
Oval Dish, 1680–1700
London, England
"Bleu Persan" tin-glazed earthenware
Lent by a private collection