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- Title
The Portuguese in Hormuz and the trade in Chinese Porcelain.
- Authors
Manuel Loureiro, Rui
- Abstract
The relations between Persia and China were many centuries old when the Portuguese first arrived on the island of Hormuz in the early years of the sixteenth century. Archaeological evidence found in Persian Gulf settlements frequently includes shards and/or pieces of Chinese ceramics, testifying to an intense maritime trade. For centuries, then, Chinese ceramics had been imported into Persia, both by land and sea routes, assuming an important role in the daily life and in the collecting habits of the Persian elites, and also influencing the arts and crafts of Persian potters. But during the reign of Shah Abbas I, a particular interest in collecting Chinese ceramics seems to have developed in the Safavid realm. Was there some sort of connection with the Portuguese establishment of Hormuz and the consequent easier accessibility to Chinese commodities, and namely porcelains? An analysis of the contents of the Ardabil shrine collection seems to suggest a Portuguese connection, meaning that at least part of the Chinese ceramics came to Persia through the mediation of Portuguese Hormuz.
- Subjects
CHINESE porcelain; INTERNATIONAL trade; MARITIME shipping; MARINE service; CERAMICS
- Publication
Bulletin of Portuguese / Japanese Studies, 2015, Vol 1, p5
- ISSN
0874-8438
- Publication type
Article