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Ad Rates / Articles / Classified Ads / Editorial / Home / Links / Showtime   Antiques and Collectibles Articles   Follow the arrows to other stories China Painting - a popular pastime c. 1880 - 1930   By Janet Bryers Much of the hand painted china in today's antique marketplace was decorated by professionals working in the pottery industry. But, there was a time, from about the 1880's through the 1920's, when china painting was also a popular North American pastime, particularly with women.   Everything that the aspiring china painter would need was readily available. Ceramic and art supply stores stocked large quantities of "white china" - plain white glazed porcelain - which came in a variety of shapes and sizes and was generally imported from Europe and Japan.   Overglaze paints, then called "mineral colours," could be ordered in a wide range of colours: these paints were specially formulated to fuse with the glaze and become permanent after firing. It was also possible to buy small portable kilns, but these were not a necessity as amateurs could generally arrange to have their work fired in commercial kilns.   For those wishing instruction in china painting, there were several methods to choose from. Many women took classes with a private instructor, at an art school or through correspondence courses. There were a number of "how-to" books on the subject, many of which were aimed at beginners. There were also magazines that provided designs and helpful hints and answered questions sent in by readers. Some of these were "The Art Amateur," "The Art Interchange" and "Keramic Studio."   The most popular subject for china painting was flowers. Typically, a plate or a bowl would be painted with a spray of cluster of flowers, perhaps roses or violets. The area around them was filled with a soft harmonizing colour and some gold accent lines were added on handles and around the rim(s). Other popular subjects were fruit and nuts.   Sometimes, sets of china were painted for use as tableware. For example, a fish set might be decorated with several varieties of fish as well and shells and seaweed. Many china painters strove to make their subjects look as natural as possible. But there was also a strong growing trend at this time towards using stylized motifs. Here, the idea was to simplify natural forms, to emphasize line, not detail, and this style of decoration became popular with artists and designers in many fields.   Probably, most women who painted china regarded it solely as a hobby. Hand painted china could always be given as a gift or donated to the church bazaar. Some women augmented the family income by selling some of their better pieces. But there were other china painters who took their work seriously. Many of them joined ceramic societies and other art organizations and they regularly submitted their work to competitions and exhibitions.   One of the highlights of china painting in Canada was the production of the Canadian Historical Dinner Service, a magnificent set of 204 pieces hand painted by 16 Canadian women. It was decorated with a variety of Canadian historical scenes, flowers, fruits, birds, ferns and fish and, in 1898, it was presented to Lady Aberdeen, wife of the departing governor general. Some talented china painters became instructors, while others worked professionally, some in their own studios.   It seems many women who painted china during this time did not sign their work. But sometimes a name or initials, and perhaps the year as well, can be found in some inconspicuous spot.   I suspect much of their work has survived because it was considered "too good" for everyday use and spent most of its time in the china cabinet. Or perhaps it had been painted by Aunt Minnie or Cousin Clara and no one wanted to risk breaking it. Some pieces I have seen are exquisite and others are, well ... awful. But either way, they represent someone's attempt to master a craft and turn a plain utilitarian item into an object of beauty for the home.   (The illustrations used here are taken from various issues of "Keramic Studio." It was published in Syracuse, N.Y., from May, 1899 until April, 1924. In May, 1924, it was renamed "Design.")   Further reading: "American Painted Porcelain, Collector's Identification & Value Guide," by Dorothy Kamm, copyright 1997, published by Collector Books, Paducah, Kentucky.   Return to top of page   This Is Livin' Publishing © 2007 581 8th Line West, RR1 Hastings, ON, K0L 1Y0 Phone/Fax: 705-696-1833   webmaster