An exhibition to pay tribute to porcelain and its European history is being held at the Museum Bellerive, in Zurich, under the name: “Porcelain – White Gold”. The exhibition, on display until October 25th, includes a mix of historic and contemporary porcelain pieces.

Porcelain was produced from the 1300’s in China then brought to Europe where it became a luxury good, so precious in fact that was usually called “white gold”. In the 18th century, Europe produced porcelain for the first time, the first manufacturer being Meissen, factory that will celebrate its 300 Year Jubilee in 2010. Other large factories such as Nymphenburg, Hutschenreuther, and Herend Manufactory followed, reaching their pick in the 19th century. In the course of time, porcelain gain other uses: it was applied in car and electronics manufacturing, today even, for spacecraft.
Nowadays, in times of economical crisis even the porcelain industry is being stricken but this exhibition aims to demonstrate that certain materials such as porcelain will not disappear becoming witnesses of a demand revival thanks to new concepts’ interpretations and new techniques used in artists’ and designers’ studios; artists and designers who remain fascinated with the transparency of this material.

Curated by Eva Afuhs and Therese Müller.

Images:
1.- Andreas Steinemann, Folded Object 2006, Porcelain, LxHxB: 30 x 17 x 30 cm, Andreas Steinemann, Lenzburg, CH.
Photo: © Andreas Steinemann.
2.- Ilaria Ghezzi, Nature IV, 2008, Porcelain, HxBxL: 25 x 24 x 27 cm, Ilaria Ghezzi, Zurich, CH.
Photo: © Ilaria Ghezzi.
3.- Cornelia Trösch, Object F, 2009, Porcelain, HxDm: 8 x 11cm, Cornelia Trösch, Zurich, CH.
Photo: © Franz Rindlisbacher.
4.- Margret Schwab, Heat-resistant bowls, 2009, Porcelain, Margret Shwab, Bern, CH.
Photo: © Margret Schwab.
5.- Design: Hermann Joseph Gradl d. A., Manufacturer: Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory A. Bäuml, Munich, DE; Fish service Saucière,1899/1900, Porcelain, Museum of Design Zurich, Applied Art Collection, Zurich, CH.
Photo: Museum of Design Zurich; Franz Xaver Jaggy/Umberto Romito © ZHdK.
6.- Design: Hertha Bengtson, Manufacturer: Rörstrand Porcelain Manufactory, Stockholm, SE; Blue Dinner service, 1951–1971, Porcelain, Rörstrand Museum, Lidköping, SE.
Photo: Patrik Johansson © Rörstrand Museum.