Gail and Rich Mellin have been buying and selling Canton since the 1970s. For many years, their customers have begged them to write a book about this much loved but little understood Chinese porcelain decorated in a distinctive — and, as it turns out, richly symbolic — blue and white pattern. The Redding, Conn., dealers recently obliged by publishing Collecting Canton: In Pursuit of the Best. Written with their daughter Erica Mellin Scioscia, the heavily illustrated volume features 92 different Canton forms identified by the experts and offers a glimpse into the private collections of some eminent China hunters with whom the Mellins have worked. Also included is a guide to identifying and interpreting Canton’s signature design elements, dating Canton, spotting fakes and forgeries and a discussion of the historic shipwrecks that have yielded clues to age of the wares that were exported in quantity to western markets in Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries.

Rich and Gail Mellin worked with their daughter Erica Mellin Scioscia to publish Collecting Canton: In Pursuit of the Best.

What are some of the biggest myths about Canton?

Two common bits of fiction are that Canton was so plentiful as to be disposable and that it was intentionally used for ballast in ships. Another popular misconception is that Canton is “better” or “older” if the color is deep blue. In truth, the color of the decoration has no bearing on the quality, age or value of the porcelain. Color — which ranges from faded light blue to deep navy blue — varies greatly and has always been a matter of personal preference.

Have you been able to identify different factories?

Yes and no. We have not been able to identify the names or specific locations of the factories that manufactured Canton. However, as you examine different pieces of Canton, you begin to notice stylistic variations in the way that decorative elements are presented. This is because each factory had many painters whose job it was to paint the same design over and over again. Each painter had his unique interpretation of an element. We have been able to identify distinct similarities in the elements of the decoration that would have come from a specific factory.

Grandchildren Jack and Kate Scioscia were eager to pose in this Canton fish tank of about 1795 to 1820.

Why is dating Canton so difficult?

Much Canton on the market today is misdated. Period accounts such as factory logs, reports of shipwrecks or domestic inventories of Canton are relatively rare. Family histories tend to be less than reliable because Canton porcelain was so common. The often-heard tale about grandma having Canton in her pantry proves the popularity of this porcelain, but not its age. There is, in fact, no magic formula when it comes to dating porcelain. Part of the process includes using relevant historical facts. Then we ask three main questions: 1) When was this form made in other decorations? 2) What is the quality of the porcelain as it relates to other known early porcelain forms? 3) What is the quality of the decoration?

What is clobbered Canton?

The term clobber, as it relates to Chinese Export porcelain, refers to enamel over the glazed surface. Flowers, birds, elaborate borders and other designs of pink, yellow, red, orange, turquoise or gold gilt were added to enhance the piece’s appearance in almost complete disregard of the blue design. Clobbered Canton is quite rare.

Do you have some great stories about collectors?

Many of our customers have become wonderful friends over the years. They come from varied walks of life and all have interesting stories to tell about their quest. The collectors we’ve included in our book are all passionate about Canton but each has a different tale to tell.

Have the book and the business been family affairs?

Oh, yes. Our daughters grew up in the business, developing appreciation for antiques by attending shows and auctions with us. Even our two young grandchildren have gotten in on the action. They’ve accompanied us to shows and sales since before they could even walk.

Speaking of shows and sales, what’s on your calendar?

We are signing books at the ADA Historic Deerfield Antiques Show on October 10. In conjunction with a long-term exhibition of Canton porcelain at the Weston Public Library in Weston, Conn., the Weston Historical Society is hosting a cocktail event and lecture by us on November 14. Our upcoming show schedule includes the November 5–8 Delaware Antiques Show, the January 8–10 Washington Winter Show and the April 15–17 Philadelphia Antiques and Art Show. Most of this information can be found on our website.

To order Collecting Canton: In Pursuit of the Best, go to www.mellinsantiques.com or call 203-938-9538.

The Mellins published Collecting Canton: In Pursuit of the Best in response to requests from customers, who lamented the lack of a detailed reference on the subject.	This form, which measures 11½ inches high, looks like a cider jug, but is actually a pitcher that was part of a wash and basin set, used to hold water. Unlike the cider jug, the lid of the water jug lid extends over the spout. The water jug form was made in the late Eighteenth to early Nineteenth Centuries and is considered rare.
The rarest style of basket and stand is the diamond reticulated (basket weave) pattern with applied flower rosettes and loop handles. The form was found in the cargo of the ship Diana, sunk in 1817 in the Straits of Malacca. This basket measures 10 inches in diameter and is 4½ inches high to its rim.	A chapter titled “Living With Canton” illustrates the collections of Mellin friends and clients.
This clobbered Canton fruit basket and stand is embellished with Mandarin orange, turquoise, green, gold gilt, pink and yellow over the traditional under-glaze blue. Clobbered pieces are quite rare. This one measures 10 inches in diameter and 4½ inches high to the rim of basket.	Cache pots with stands were used as ornamental containers for flowers. The rare, early Nineteenth Century stand is footed and the pot has a hole in the bottom for drainage. The set measures 7¼ by 5¼ inches.
Brush boxes such as this one were most likely part of women’s toiletry sets. They usually have only one Canton scene, on their lids. This early Nineteenth Century example measuring 8 by 2¾ inches is rare in that it is decorated with the Canton scene on its lid and on its base.	A selection of Canton bathing objects including, center, a pitcher and chamber pot.
The earliest Chinese porcelain garden seats are from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). These drum-form examples have raised knobs or bosses with open fretwork on the top and sides. A true pair of Canton garden seats has one seat with a left-sided pagoda and the other with the pagoda on the right.	A selection of teapots. Center is a censor-shaped pot with a “heavenly gate” handle and a dome top pot and stand that might have been used for tea, coffee or chocolate.