famille noire

Famille noire is a type of Chinese porcelain characterized by its decoration featuring a black background. This style is part of a broader classification of Chinese overglaze enamelled wares from the Qing dynasty (1644–1911/12).12

The famille noire palette is closely related to famille verte ("green family") wares, which were predominantly made during the Kangxi period (1661–1722). While famille verte wares use a range of colors including green, yellow, blue, red, and purple, famille noire specifically incorporates these colors against a rich black ground. Another related style is famille jaune, which uses the same colors but with a yellow ground. In these styles, the white porcelain body is often completely covered by the decorative colors.32

Chinese pottery has a long and influential history, with its porcelain significantly impacting European pottery. The dating of Chinese pottery can be complex due to overlapping traditional types and the use of dynastic marks that may not always be precise.2