Europe’s Asian centuries project and
Porcelain
University of Warwick
Chris Nierstrasz
Europe’s Asian centuries project
• Trade with Asia and the Industrial Revolution
Europe’s Asian centuries project
• Trade with Asia and the Industrial Revolution
• Extension of quantitative work
Outline
• What was the Importance of Porcelain for the
VOC?
Outline
• What was the Importance of Porcelain for the
VOC?
• What kinds of porcelain did the VOC want
from Asia?
Outline
• What was the Importance of Porcelain for the
VOC?
• What kinds of porcelain did the VOC want
from Asia?
• How important was private trade for the trade
in Porcelain?
Outline
• What was the Importance of Porcelain for the
VOC?
• What kinds of porcelain did the VOC want
from Asia?
• How important was private trade for the trade
in Porcelain?
• How was Porcelain marketed in Europe?
The Importance of Porcelain for the
VOC
• Spices
Invoice, 1619-21, according to Glamann
Spices
Pepper
Sugar
Tea and coffee
Drugs, Dye-stuffs, etc
Saltpeter
Metals
Textiles, silk, cotton, etc
Sundries
The Importance of Porcelain for the
VOC
• spices, the potential of Porcelain
Invoice, 1648-50
Sale ,1648-50
Spices
Spices
Pepper
Sugar
Tea and coffee
Drugs, Dye-stuffs, etc
Saltpeter
Metals
Textiles, silk, cotton, etc
Sundries
Pepper
Sugar
Tea and coffee
Drugs, Dye-stuffs, etc
Saltpeter
Metals
Textiles, silk, cotton, etc
Sundries
The Importance of Porcelain for the
VOC
• Run on spices, see potential of Porcelain
Invoice, 1668-70
Sale, 1668-70
Spices
Spices
Pepper
Pepper
Sugar
Sugar
Tea and coffee
Tea and coffee
Drugs, Dye-stuffs, etc
Drugs, Dye-stuffs, etc
Saltpeter
Saltpeter
Metals
Metals
Textiles, silk, cotton, etc
Textiles, silk, cotton, etc
Sundries
Sundries
The Importance of Porcelain for the
VOC
• Run on spices, see potential of Porcelain
Invoice, 1668-70
Sale, 1698-1700
Spices
Spices
Pepper
Pepper
Sugar
Sugar
Tea and coffee
Tea and coffee
Drugs, Dye-stuffs, etc
Drugs, Dye-stuffs, etc
Saltpeter
Saltpeter
Metals
Metals
Textiles, silk, cotton, etc
Textiles, silk, cotton, etc
Sundries
Sundries
The Importance of Porcelain for the
VOC
Conclusion
• spices, with room for other products
• Porcelain small, but very valuable and
problems in obtaining it
What did the VOC want from Asia
• Demands were made for Porcelain
NA, VOC, 151, 30 September 1661
What did the VOC want from Asia
• Demands made every year
• High quality
What did the VOC want from Asia
• Demands made every year
• High quality
• Never achieved what they want, both in
quality and amount
The VOC and Private trade
• Private trade and Porcelain
The VOC and Private trade
• Private trade and Porcelain
• A system of privileged trade
The VOC and Private trade
The VOC and Private trade
The Market for Porcelain
• Market for Porcelain in Europe
The Market for Porcelain
• Market for Porcelain in Europe
• Example of the queen of Denmark
The Market for Porcelain
Conclusion