A CANTONESE ENAMEL SUPPER-SET

Painted enamels were first imported from Europe in Kangxi Emperor's reign, and by the thirtieth year of his regime at the latest, the Chinese painters had mastered the technique of producing fine enamel work. Under the Qianlong emperor's reign, the artists in the Imperial workshops attained even higher standards in the production, and the painting style evolved. The Qianlong emperor preferred painted enamel decoration to be 'dense' and 'delicate', and at the very start of his reign he was already encouraging the employment of Canton enamellers, attracting many artists who had constant contact with the West through the trading activities and the religious missionaries.