The Literature Network - Chinese export porcelain from the Leo and Doris Hodroff Collection at Winterthur. (Winterthur).(Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum)

Chinese export porcelain from the Leo and Doris Hodroff Collection at Winterthur. (Winterthur).(Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum)

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From: The Magazine Antiques
Date: 20020101
Author:Fuchs, Ron

According to Daniel Defoe (1661?-1731), Mary II of England (r. 1689-1694) was one of the first collectors of Chinese export porcelain in that country. He credited, or blamed, her for beginning

the custom or bumour of furnishing houses with China-ware, which spread to lesser mortals and increased to such a strange degree afterwards, piling their China upon the tops of Cabinets, Scrutores and every Chymney-Piece... till it became a grievance in the Expence of it and even injurious to their Families and Estates. (1)

Mary was one of many in a long line of connoisseurs and ...

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Chinese export porcelain from the Leo and Doris Hodroff Collection at Winterthur. (Winterthur).(Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum)

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