1, silk
According to records, Caesar once wore a robe made of China silk to the theatre, which caused a great sensation in Rome. Venice, as one of the important terminals of the Silk Road, basically achieved unprecedented prosperity only by silk trade. European craftsmen soon learned the skills of raising silk and began to imitate China silk. /kloc-Before the 6th century, some famous silk bases appeared in Italy and France.
2. porcelain
Before China porcelain entered Europe, the daily utensils used by westerners were mainly pottery, wood and metal. Therefore, as soon as light and beautiful porcelain was introduced into Europe, it was immediately sought after by everyone. Original porcelain is extremely rare, and it is often given to kings and nobles as the most precious gift, which is invisible to ordinary people.
3. tea
Tea is also a China commodity that Europeans particularly like. The Dutch East India Company introduced tea to Europe in 1650. Later, most of the tea in Europe was imported from China. Tea drinking has gradually become a fashion, spreading all over the royal family and upper class in Europe.
Note: Before China porcelain entered Europe, the daily utensils used by westerners were mainly pottery, wood and metal. Therefore, as soon as light and beautiful porcelain was introduced into Europe, it was immediately sought after by everyone. Original porcelain is extremely rare, and it is often given to kings and nobles as the most precious gift, and ordinary people can't see it at all.
At the end of the Maritime Silk Road in Egypt and Arabia, the price of a piece of porcelain is equivalent to the price of several slaves. The production process of porcelain is also a secret for Europe. At that time, Portuguese businessmen speculated that the raw materials of porcelain were shells, eggshells and gypsum.
Because of its high cost, Europeans in the16th century even thought porcelain had supernatural magic. They are convinced that if China contains poison, it will break. By the middle of16th century, with the Portuguese bringing back a large number of porcelain from China, collecting China porcelain became a trend in the upper class of Europe.
In Portugal, which was the first country to trade with China, the bracelets of the Queen and Princess were all made of porcelain, and the gifts given by the Portuguese king to the Italian king were often made of porcelain. The Queen also ordered the tableware with her portrait to be burned in China for the use of meritorious soldiers. 1662, when charles ii married the Portuguese royal family, the Portuguese princess brought a porcelain dowry.