Unknown Maker, Chinese export

Beyond flavoring foods on the table, salt was crucial to preserving perishable foods before refrigeration was available. Pork, beef, and fish were rubbed with salt and packed in barrels dry or covered in water to create a brine. Crews on merchant ships ate salted meat and fish during the many months they were at sea procuring commodities for trade.

The smooth and luminous porcelain base combined with enameling and gold surface embellishment decorating this selection from a 125-piece dinner service mimics the glimmer and shine of the butterfly. Available in Europe beginning in the 14th century, Chinese export porcelain became immensely popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. With their advanced understanding of embellishment techniques, Chinese artisans made porcelain goods that proved irresistible to the Western market. It was not until the second half of the 20th century, with the discovery of mica metal oxide pigments, that stable pearl luster tints became available to artisans. In the

meantime Chinese goods, from porcelain to feather cloisonné to silk embroidered robes, reigned supreme in capturing the iridescence of the butterfly wing.