Ancient Global Supply Chain: Made-in-China in Maritime Silk Road

Ten nesting ivory balls make a big ball. On a fan, there are scenes of European courting couples. On another fan, Qing Dynasty officials are on the road with their entourage. There are porcelain tea sets with a Chinese floral design but with European-style gilt trim. All are delicate. All feature both Chinese and European tastes. These are some of the displays at a recent exhibition on Chinese exports to Europe through the maritime Silk Road during the 18th and 19th century. Major exports from China to Europe along the Maritime Silk Road in the 18th and 19th centuries included porcelain, tea, silk, paintings, fans, ivory carving, lacquer ware and silverware. Many exhibits are from European collections, and they reflect what products  European collectors valued most. It is interesting to find out that there was a similar global supply chain for European luxuries as today, and that China’s role in this chain was similar to today. But it was cheap Chinese product that finally had the biggest influence on China and the West.