Silk

In the Chinese exhibition area, Yung Kee Silk from Shanghai fully demonstrated the fine quality of silk from the place of origin of silkworm, and was therefore awarded a medal by the judging committee. Meanwhile medals of honor were awarded to the silk samples presented by Messrs. Astell and Co., Mr. C. J. Braine, Mr. W.P. Hammond and Mr. H.H. Lindsay.

Mineral Products

In the Crystal Palace, China has shown its outstanding achievements in silk products and porcelains. However, the country only obtained a single prize of honor for mineral products, which was given to Mr. R. Alcock, British counselor in Shanghai. Mr. Alcock presented the raw materials used in porcelain-manufacturing in the large-scale Jingdezhen workshop near Lake Boyang, including clay and paint samples from the porcelain workshop. Vegetable Wax

Vegetable wax presented by the British counselor in Shanghai attracted people’s attention for its high melting point and other physical properties. Since the wax was extremely favorable to the manufacturing of candles, the judging committee decided to confer upon it a prize of honor.

Silk Products

The exhibition of Chinese silk products fully demonstrated China’s enduring reputation in brocade and other silk products, but it still fell short of making a stir. The judging committee expressed its gratitude to Mr. H. H. Lindsay and Mr. L. Dent for bringing these exhibits with Chinese characteristics here.

As the origin country for silk-manufacturing, China had become a representative in this realm for various chromonema used in silk-manufacturing.

Cheongsam, the chief costume of the Chinese upper class, has silk as its outside material. It won a prize of honor for subtle workmanship and exquisite embroidery.

Metal Products

Regrettably, China had very few metal products on display, thus failing to leave a complete impression on us. Chinese metal products, however, involved a wide range. Furthermore, considering the ingenuity, talent for invention and unique family customs of the Chinese people, we had every reason to believe that as far as the manufacturing and processing of metal products were concerned, China equaled Europe in terms of development level and practical value.

Lacquerwork

It is so named for the varnish on its surface, which is extracted from shell-lac. The lacquerwork made in China is quite expensive, and the manufacturing process is very complicated, which involves 18 to 20 layer of coating, fixing and polishing. The varnish used in these lacquerworks is of high purity and brightness, the decoration is refined, and the manual craftsmanship is marvelous. Some China-made lacquerworks on display attracted wide attention, especially the folding screen presented by Mr. Braine.

Fans

In the field of fan-making, China and France were the two chief rivals, who had virtually monopolized the fan-making industry all over the world. In the field of the lacquer-finish fan, China was definitely the best place of origin. In terms of wood and bone-fan-making as well as the tusk and pearl carving and drilling technique, China had no match (even more so when considering the price). Even for ordinary fans, Chinese products were innovative in design, rich in color, beautiful in drawing, and refined in craftsmanship. The Chinese fan-processing industry mainly was clustered in Guangdong, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing. Tusk, bone and feather fans were primarily exported to European and American markets, while those used by Chinese were mainly with polished and lacquered bamboo chips as ribs and paper as coverings. The fans on display were not directly from Chinese manufacturers, instead they were provided by three British participating merchants, namely, Mr. Braine, Mr. Daniell and Yue Cheong Co., Ltd. The exhibits included feather fans with drawings and embroidery, a blue and white feather fan with silver edge and Chinese portrait, a 20-shilling cheap tusk fan with ingenious sculpture and drilling as well as sophisticated craftsmanship. Other exhibits included some ordinary paper fans with simple landscapes, or golden decorations.

Chinese Tea

We might well say that the Chinese tea gathered in Guangdong by Mr. P.W. Ripley for this exposition was unique. It had a satisfactory variety and superior quality. Besides, some rare and expensive ingredients had no small value for scientific research. Some varieties had never been spotted in Britain, and the price of some in the Chinese market was five times that of the retail price of the most expensive kind in Britain. Some teas could not endure long-distance transportation. Moreover, for lack of appropriate storage and display conditions, they had already been damaged to some extent.

To the regret of the judging committee, the Royal Commission was not allowed to grant a prize higher than medals to Mr. Ripley’s exhibits. Some of the few materials listed below recorded information relating to this first fully revealed industry.

The market price of some of the Pekoe Tea on display could sell at 50 shillings for each package; while in Britain, the highest price was seven shillings. Pure Pekoe and orange-flavor Pekoe were rarely sold in Britain, but they were purchased by wealthy Russian families. The best Pekoe Tea was not for export, but consumed domestically by Chinese officials. The reason was that in Russia, three to four shillings were charged extra for transportation, but in St. Petersburg, the highest retailing price never exceeded 50 shillings.

Kongfu Tea or Ningyang Tea was mainly exported to the American market. Oolong Tea was the best drink in Calcutta. In Britain it was comparatively cheaper, but the taste had already been spoiled by long-distance transportation.

In terms of taste, nothing can be compared to“Guangliao”Tea. Toasted for only a short period of time, this tea remains relatively humid while in the best conditions. Therefore, it is not suitable for transportation and storage. In affluent Chinese families, this tea was in great demand, which sold at 20 shillings/lb in local markets.

More on display were all kinds of tea drunk by the Chinese laboring class, some of which were simply coarse leaves cured by the sun. Teas with relatively better quality (from Yantai) were stored in baskets or boxes to be exported to such places as Java.

Last there were tea trees, as well as their leaves, flowers and buds. The model and drawing of the manufacturing, packaging, and delivery of tea together with relative articles such as teapots, cups and tools for smelling tea, were also on display.

(From 1851 Great Exhibition of the Industries of All Nations: Report from the Judging Committee on 30 Categories of Exhibits, London William Crow Brothers, 1852.)