Design Exchange Study In The Context Of Sino-British Trade In 1700-1840

Abstract:This study focuses on how artistic influence transmitted through business between 1700 and 1840,a period when the trade between China and the Great Britain started and diversified.The trading relationship exposed Chinse artists more to British craft commodities such as textiles,furniture and pottery,and vice versa.Such exposure had remarkably promoted artistic exchanges between the two countries,which further expanded their artistic influence in the other country,respectively.This paper intends to examine the causes and outcomes of the artistic exchanges accompanying economic activities between China and the Great Britain.First,this study discusses how British people interpreted Chinoiserie,whether they accepted such a style,and how they were influenced by it.Secondly,this paper investigates what the Chinese attitudes towards Western design philosophy were,and how the British style impacted Chinese design.Lastly,this paper investigates what roles trade played in artistic transmission.The findings indicate that Chinese design gained some attention and popularity in Britain but failed to impact the British culture.The British style,on the contrary,has started to influence Chinese design profoundly since 1840.Due to the cultural distinction between the two countries,misinterpretation of the other country' s design style became inevitable and occasionally,such a misinterpretation serendipitously resulted in hybrid designs that were both ingenious and marvelous.It is concluded that in the realm of art design,while Britain and China remained loyal to their own artistic culture,they inspired and complemented each other appreciably.