A pleasure of poring over porcelain, is being able to learn history via patterns and colours. Chinoiserie - the european interpretation of oriental art and design - incorporates other influences too;
This one doesnt look like chinoiserie at first glance, but look closer because it's a superb amalgamation of Art deco (geometric, streamlined with zigzags applied to dragon fins and sea monsters) and other minimalist oriental images (pagodas, bamboo crosses and cherries).