Mid 20th Century United Wilson Blue & White Rectangular Planter & Underplate

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Late 20th century rectangular porcelain planter and underplate by United Wilson. Blue and white Chinese Export design of foliate, flowers … Read more Late 20th century rectangular porcelain planter and underplate by United Wilson. Blue and white Chinese Export design of foliate, flowers and horns, finished with factory distressed crazing. Distributed by Floral Emporium Inc.

The storied heritage began with Jin Longsheng 晉隆生 and Yong Heng 永亨, two porcelain workshops in Hong Kong & Macau with shared bloodline. Founded a century ago, our forefather established Jin Longsheng, believing porcelain would be the craft from which family can be raised. With the unique status of Hong Kong as a vibrant trading port and surging popularity of porcelain ware in Europe, the workshop flourished, evolving from a small workshop to a full-fledged enterprise renowned for its masterful craft in its era. In the 1940s, his son 李子培 & daughter-in-law 馬碧蓮 would establish Yong Heng 永亨 in Macau, further expanding the business. Born in Hong Kong, Elsa, being the niece to the founder, spent much of her schoolyears in Macau. Working alongside her aunt and the artisans at the workshop, it was in Macau her life became forever intertwined with porcelain. Together with her husband Nelson, they would later lead a band of expert artisans to create exquisite porcelain patterns in their new venture. It was at the Macau workshop that Elsa and Nelson first crossed paths. Nelson, from a humble beginning, was fueled by a fervent ambition to create a legacy of his own. Self-taught in foreign language, he worked in the company as a sales manager introducing the crafts of porcelain to buyers the world over. By the early 1970s, Hong Kong was emerging to be the epicenter of entrepreneurship, attracting daring dreamers across the globe. Driven by their shared vision, the couple seized the opportunity to pursue their life & dream in Hong Kong. Their journey was marked by hard work and perseverance, with both holding down two or three jobs at a time until they saved enough to open J&P Trading Company. Specializing in the export trade of porcelain, Nelson's plan was to establish a trade network of customers, porcelain makers, and painters, saving enough capital and customers for their own business in the future. In 1974, they were presented with an opportunity to invest in a struggling porcelain workshop they worked with. However, it proved to be a particularly difficult time due to the recession and economic woes in the US. Despite their best efforts, the owner eventually decided to call it quits. Undaunted, Nelson bet on the situation turning around and took full ownership of the workshop. His persistence would finally paid off when the economy recovered in 1977, and the business began to thrive once again. It was then they decided to restructure the business by integrating porcelain making and painting, relocating to a new site, and operating under their own name. Never one to forget their origin, it was decided that the first Chinese character of the new company would share the same character as the Macau workshop, and their maker's mark would denote 1897 to mark the year where it all began. In 1978, United Wilson Porcelain Factory (UWPF) 永勝彩瓷廠 was officially founded, marking the start of a legacy. With Elsa's expertise in porcelain-making and an inspired team of expert artisans, they created an array of exquisite patterns, from blue & white to famille rose, satsuma, and imari. The couple later married, cementing their love for each other and their passion for their craft. Four decades later, UWPF is one of the oldest porcelain brands in Hong Kong, now helmed by the next generation of the family. Even after all this time, the family business continues to innovate, imbuing their designs with a unique East-meets-West aesthetic. Each piece of contemporary design is crafted with the same level of care and intricate handiwork as their classic predecessors. Delft.

Dimensions:
6" x 5" x 4.5" (Width x Depth x Height) See less