In its time, Chinese porcelain was one of the most prestigious and valuable goods in Europe. For example, in the 18th century it was often called “white gold” because it cost fabulous sums. But it lasted only until a priest discovered the secret of this very porcelain, thanks to which similar products could be produced in many other countries around the world.
Chinese porcelain of the Qin dynasty
Francois Xavier d’Antrecol became a Jesuit priest at the age of 18 and began his service to the Church and the Order as an interpreter. What set this young man apart from other clerics was his ability to grasp information on the fly, while trying to understand the essence of things. That is why he, the owner of a lively and inquisitive mind, as well as nine other capable members of the Jesuit Order sent to China as missionaries. And it was there that d’Antrecoll became famous as the man who revealed one of the most important Chinese secrets.
François Xavier d’Antrecoll
Active trade between China and Europe began as early as the 17th century, and perhaps one of the most important goods exported by Europeans was Chinese porcelain. At that time, tableware even in the best European homes was often earthenware or earthenware, unsightly and bulky. Of course, compared to these dishes, Chinese, light, graceful, skillfully painted, was the height of perfection. And not all rich people could afford to buy such dishes – so expensive it cost at that time.
Of course, almost immediately after the appearance of porcelain in Europe, local craftsmen tried to copy this product and create something similar, but their own. There were many swindlers who said that they have the exact “recipe” of Chinese porcelain, and in fact sold gullible people some meaningless bling. The best scientific minds of Europe tried to unravel the true essence of porcelain, constantly conducting all kinds of experiments. One way or another, no one success in the case of recreating Chinese porcelain in Europe then did not achieve.
When Father François d’Antrecoll appeared in China, he was already 34 years old – quite a mature man for that era. To be a member of the Jesuit Order – it means not only to preach faith in Christ, but also to lead, intelligence activities, to comprehend other people’s secrets and secrets. Here and d’Antrecol received such an order – if possible, to try to learn the long-standing and carefully guarded secret of porcelain. If it were happening in our days, the whole operation of this Jesuit would be called industrial espionage – that’s exactly what he was doing.
François d’Antrecoll had an excellent knowledge of the Chinese language, which helped him in establishing ties with the local population. His inquisitive mind and knowledge of human psychology allowed him to figure out which Chinese could be bribed and which one was better not to approach. One way or another, my father many times penetrated into those facilities where Chinese porcelain was made.
Of course, his task was not easy. The Chinese, in the main, did not trust outsiders too much, and certainly their secret was carefully guarded. But 10 years of reconnaissance were not in vain, and in 1712 d’Antrecoll wrote home to France, a letter in which he reported that he finally learned the secret of Chinese porcelain.
Interestingly, the recipe of François Xavier d’Antrecoll’s father was not published at that time, and the letter was not presented to the world until 1735. Why was there such a delay? Apparently, all this time, the Jesuit Order was trying to decide how to better use the knowledge obtained, because if successful, it could give a huge, incomprehensible income. In addition, the letter described the entire long, extremely complex and painstaking process of creating porcelain, which means that without great experience and skill to recreate porcelain at once in the Order and could not, and it took decades before something good came out.
Anyway, although the creation of European porcelain and dealt a huge blow to the trade in porcelain Chinese, products from China were still valued and cost a lot for many years.
