Famille rose is a type of Chinese porcelain introduced in the 18th century and defined by pink overglaze enamel. It is a Western classification for Qing dynasty porcelain known in Chinese by various terms: fencai, ruancai, yangcai, and falangcai. The colour palette is thought to have been brought to China during the reign of Kangxi (1654–1722) by Western Jesuits who worked at the palace, but perfected only in the Yongzheng era when the finest pieces were made, and famille rose ware reached the peak of its technical excellence during the Qianlong period.
Famille rose bowl, Imperial porcelain, Jingdezhen
Moon flask (right) in famille rose, Jingdezhen porcelain, Yongzheng reign, the Percival David Collection at the British Museum
A selection of falangcai porcelains
Some designs became more complex in the Qianlong period. A vase with engraved pattern and openwork medallions, painted with famille rose enamels.
Chinese export porcelain includes a wide range of Chinese porcelain that was made (almost) exclusively for export to Europe and later to North America between the 16th and the 20th century. Whether wares made for non-Western markets are covered by the term depends on context. Chinese ceramics made mainly for export go back to the Tang dynasty if not earlier, though initially they may not be regarded as porcelain.
Chinese blue and white export porcelain, with European scene and French inscription "The Empire of virtue is established to the end of the Universe", Kangxi period, 1690–1700.
Chinese porcelain plate for a Dutch sea-captain of the ship Vryburg, Canton, 1756.
Dutch 17th-century still-life painting by Jan Jansz. Treck, showing late Ming blue and white porcelain export bowls, 1649.