Pair of lamps in Canton porcelain and bronze. Circa 1880.

So-called Canton porcelain refers to a type of porcelain decorated with specific enamels, ordered by the East India Companies from Chinese porcelain manufacturers and exported to Europe in the 18th century. Indeed, foreigners who trade with China quickly become fond of porcelain to export it to Europe, particularly since for many years they did not master the production technique. Porcelain production in China was carried out in the city of Jingdezhen, considered the capital of porcelain since the Mongol era (1271-1368). It was then transported by river: the production intended for the South of China left for Canton, 900 km from Jingdezhen. Canton played a determining role in Chinese trade from the 16th century, well before the arrival of Europeans in China, since it simultaneously had dual maritime and river access, which facilitated trade. Subsequently, in 1699, the Kangxi Emperor authorized its opening to Europeans and it was the only city where they were authorized to trade. Canton was initially a place of transaction between the different European India companies, but quickly in the second half of the 18th century it became a place of production. Porcelain decorators come to set up there to save time and export white services from Jingdezhen. The decorations are organized around pastoral scenes, religious themes or historical events. The craftsmen then strove to copy the designs of their European clients as faithfully as possible. Traditionally, Canton enamel decoration is polychrome, in pink and/or green tones, with more or less significant gold highlights.