European Porcelain Copies of Chinese Ceramics

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European Porcelain Copies of Chinese Designs

European porcelain copies bearing Chinese motifs and decorations were made very early on. Using either blank porcelain made in China or predecessors of the proto-porcelain created in Europe, they were painted by local artists.
Real European porcelain was only possible after Kaolin, the essential component of Chinese porcelain was discovered in Europe in the middle of the 18th century.

Chinoiserie

Chinoiserie is the name for a form of early European porcelain decoration that copied Chinese motifs. While a few of the earlier ones may look very close to Chinese decoration, mostly they can be easily distinguished by their distinct "non-Chinese" painting style and proportions.

However, during the 19th centuries some European porcelain manufacturers produced copies of Chinese porcelain decorations that are difficult to distinguish from the Chinese originals.

European Replicas of Chinese Porcelain

Herend is known to have made some straight replicas of Chinese porcelain, but they were all marked with an impressed mark and can be recognized with this mark.

Another firm extensively copied porcelain extensively copied porcelain in the 19th century, in France. Edmé Samson (Paris, 1810-1891), founded the firm Samson, Edmé et Cie in Paris.
The firm copied porcelains of other manufacturers, including European and Chinese porcelains. Some were copied to such a degree that it is difficult to tell the original from the copy.

Although Samson seems to have clearly marked their own products, it appears some were still passed off as originals. Copies were found with the Samson mark removed, but it is unknown as to by whom.

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