Oriental, Asian & Chinoiserie

Traditional Chinese Vases and Other Vessels – Part 1

Traditional Chinese Vases and Other Vessels – Part 1

The same forms last for centuries. They can be made out of pottery or porcelain, jade, other precious stones or metal. Often they originally had lids, although lids get lost. The same basic shape has many variations, with and without handles. Hu Wine Vessels One of the earliest ceramic forms, the hu harks back to…

How do they make those lavish flower arrangements?
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How do they make those lavish flower arrangements?

Do you see those amazing flower arrangements and wonder how they did that? This is the same arrangement, looking down into it. See how densely packed the flowers are? I bought a book on flower arranging. It gives instructions to create an arrangement like this. First tape across the top of your container so you…

Blue and White Porcelain Flatware Sets
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Blue and White Porcelain Flatware Sets

Chopsticks are a very traditional Chinese gift. They are appropriate housewarming gifts or to give to family members, clients and business associates, even government officials. In Chinese, the word Chopsticks sounds very similar to the word Happiness. So giving chopsticks is like giving happiness. A lot of sets include spoons, the other common Chinese eating…

Shannon Crystal Godinger Crystal Pagoda Salt and Pepper Shakers and Box with Lid
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Shannon Crystal Godinger Crystal Pagoda Salt and Pepper Shakers and Box with Lid

These little salt and pepper shakers are shaped like little pagodas. They are hand crafted of crystal. They are each 3.82″ wide x 2.8″ high. Like a lot of other crystal salt and pepper shakers, the little plastic stoppers that hold the salt and pepper in don’t work well. You can find replacement corks, use…

Two’s Company Chinoiserie Chic Blue and White Melamine Dinnerware
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Two’s Company Chinoiserie Chic Blue and White Melamine Dinnerware

Chinoiserie Touch melamine plates and platter combine the blue bamboo border of the Blue Bamboo Touch set from Two’s Company with the Blue and White Chinoiserie Floral, Blue and White Chinoiserie, Blue Willow, and Canton Collections. Set your table with these dinner plates to add style and color to your meal. Designed with a blue…

Two’s Company Blue and White Chinoiserie Chic Napkins and Placemats
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Two’s Company Blue and White Chinoiserie Chic Napkins and Placemats

Two’s Company Blue Willow and Blue and White Chinoiserie Floral are classic cobalt blue and white. You can get machine washable cotton placemats with a dark blue scalloped edge and thick paper single use placemats. The coordinating napkins are thick absorbent cotton that could be used as a quick dry dish towel. You might find…

Miniature Blue and White Porcelain Pagoda Ornaments
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Miniature Blue and White Porcelain Pagoda Ornaments

I have found more of the adorable miniature blue and white porcelain pagodas. And they don’t cost much at all! The one on the left is from a brand called Hoolerry. I don’t think there is any difference between it and the one from Mpapali. The second is from Sophinique and the one at the…

Blue and White Chinoiserie Towel Sets
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Blue and White Chinoiserie Towel Sets

I can never have too many hand towels. I prefer the cotton terrycloth ones. Any cotton towel that is absorbent is useful. And I have a lot of rather useless un-absorbent synthetic towels that I bought anyway because I like the picture so much. This set has chinoiserie designs embroidered onto cotton terry cloth. Quera…

Blue and White China Figurines
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Blue and White China Figurines

Chinese figurines in white china with cobalt blue transfer or painting is a wonderful accent to your blue willow china collection. They are available in different sizes. The smaller ones are easiest to find. Larger ones are less common and cost quite a bit more. Some have beautifully applied details. Others, not so much. This…