從人類文明演進的歷程,中國瓷器的發展可謂淵遠流長,同時,自古以來,中國與西方之間的往來貿易雖以茶、絲綢與瓷器為主體,但這當中又以瓷器(Porcelain)最能代表中西文化雙方促進工藝技術、創新設計的啟發與審美觀念等精神層面交流的象徵。其中,清朝的外銷瓷器貿易相較之前更為頻繁,且產生不同於以往的劇烈變化,承此,本文擬以中國瓷器在中西文化交流中占有的特殊地位作為主體,介紹瓷器在中國內部從上古時期至清代的發展略述,其次對於清代外銷瓷器在中西文化交流影響的部份,試分藝術與經濟等層面予以討論,期藉由有關探討,並以歐洲與日本近代瓷器貿易的成功發展為例,盼能進一步釐清清代中國製瓷業何以衰落的原因,以及從彼此瓷器貿易的消長關係中,檢視其對當今中國大陸發展的意義。
The development of Chinese porcelain has a long standing of reputation since ancient times. The ancient trade between China and the west relies mainly on tea, silk and porcelain, but only porcelain can promote such symbols of spiritual aspect as the technology, inspiration that is designed of innovation and aesthetic standards, etc. Trade of porcelain in Qing Dynasty is relatively more frequent, and different from the past. This paper drafts the special position of porcelain in Chinese and Western cultural exchanges. It also discusses why porcelain trade in Qing dynasty had declined and how it could the restored in modern China.