Michelle Erickson (b. 1960)

Black was held in high regard by the Japanese, and in the 17th century it was used for the household wares of 'great and distinguished people'.1 The relationship between porcelain and lacquer was not new in Asia, but once planted in Europe, the idea grew to produce different and innovative decorative effects. By the third quarter of the 18th century, black-glazed pieces were produced in England. Erickson’s Tea Koi celebrates the meeting of East and West with technical virtuosity combining creamware, black earthenware and porcelain to capture the whimsy and exoticism in the eighteenth century Staffordshire chinoiserie style.
1. See www.christies.com for further information.