Asia and Latin America
18 records
A century before the fad for chinoiserie and japonism captivated Europe, luxury
commodities from China, Japan, and India made their way to the Americas via the
famous Manila galleons, which made annual trips from Manila to the port of Acapulco
in New Spain from 1565 to 1815. The ships were filled with "exotic" objects, including
exquisite lacquer, ivories, textiles, porcelain, and furniture, as well as natural products
such as spices and tea. Many of these items were distributed to local merchants in
Mexico City; others continued southward to the viceroyalty of Peru to satisfy a growing
clientele.
At the beginning of the seventeenth century, Japan and New Spain attempted to formalize trade relations, but the effort was thwarted following the unification of Japan. By the second half of the seventeenth century the importation of Japanese goods to the viceroyalties had decreased. The demand for Asian objects inspired colonial artists and craftsmen to adapt and reinterpret Asian materials, formats, and techniques, including ceramics, lacquerwork, textiles, folding screens, and objects inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
Ilona Katzew, Department Head and Curator, Latin American Art
At the beginning of the seventeenth century, Japan and New Spain attempted to formalize trade relations, but the effort was thwarted following the unification of Japan. By the second half of the seventeenth century the importation of Japanese goods to the viceroyalties had decreased. The demand for Asian objects inspired colonial artists and craftsmen to adapt and reinterpret Asian materials, formats, and techniques, including ceramics, lacquerwork, textiles, folding screens, and objects inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
Ilona Katzew, Department Head and Curator, Latin American Art