Trade: Silk, Spices and Ceramics
5th January – 17th April 2005 

Trade: Silk, Spices and Ceramics, an exhibition exploring the influence and impact of trade on the artistic and cultural products of East Asia, opens at the Museum of East Asian Art on 5th January 2005.

Dating from the Zhou Dynasty (c.1050 – 221BC) to the present day, this exhibition introduces a variety of objects which reflect the complex history of commerce within East Asia. Retracing the footsteps of trade in China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and other East Asian countries, this exhibition will explore the history of the Silk Road, spice trade and maritime routes, which all played significant roles in the growth of international trade.

Created in the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), the establishment of the Silk Road signalled the beginnings of a flourishing trade in East Asia. The route stretched from the Chinese capital of Chang'an across the deserts of Central Asia to the Empires of Persia and Rome. In trying to meet the demand for silk from the Roman Empire, the route soon became a central link to the west. However the Silk Road brought more than economic prosperity. As well as transporting materials and goods it also promoted exchanges in knowledge, religious ideas and artistic styles.

Over the centuries the Silk Road experienced varying periods of expansion and decline. During the Tang dynasty (618 - 907AD) trade along the Silk Road reached its peak. Chang'an became a thriving, cosmopolitan city in which foreign luxury goods were the height of fashion. This period of flourishing trade fell into decline with the demise of the Tang dynasty, but trade still continued to a lesser degree within the Yuan Dynasty (1279 – 1368 AD).

The discovery of sea routes from Europe to Asia in the late fifteenth century dealt one last damaging blow to the Silk Road. The Europeans desire for spices, and the enormous profits to be made from trading them, ushered in a new era for maritime trade. New ports emerged and ship building technology became more efficient. Ships could carry considerable amounts of trade goods such silk, tea, and lacquer fans. Significantly, they were also able to transport ceramics which were too heavy and fragile to be exported overland.

Originally used as ballast on ships carrying lighter cargoes, trade ceramics were to become a vast industry within the maritime trading network. During the Ming (1368 – 1644) and Qing (1644 – 1911) dynasties in China, the porcelain export trade prospered as customers in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and later in Europe, enjoyed fine porcelains including many made to order. In addition to Chinese porcelain, Vietnamese and Thai ceramics were also traded and these will also feature in this exhibition.

The exhibition is on display at the Museum of East Asian Art in Bath until 17th April 2005 and will be complemented by an events programme including talks, handling sessions and activities for children. The Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sundays from 12noon to 5pm.