On Porcelain

Porcelain, a material invented by the Chinese around 200 BC and renowned for its strength and translucency, has been a subject of fascination and attempted replication by Western cultures. The study 'On Porcelain' explores the historical and cultural significance of porcelain, particularly through the lens of looting and colonialism. It examines how the acquisition of porcelain artifacts from China, such as those presented to Empress Eugenie and Queen Victoria after the looting of the Old Summer Palace, reflects broader patterns of power dynamics and historical narratives. The research delves into the psychological and social implications, drawing parallels between the delicacy of porcelain and the perceived value of white women in society, as illustrated through historical events like the 1955 murder of Emmett Till and the 2020 incident involving Amy Cooper in Central Park. It also highlights the ongoing struggle for the return of looted artifacts, symbolized by the theft of a chimera from the Palace and Park of Fontainebleau in 2015.

Mao, S. W. (2022). On Porcelain. New England Review, 43(1), 79–83. https://doi.org/10.1353/ner.2022.0007