LEAPING THE DRAGON GATE
THE SIR MICHAEL BUTLER COLLECTION OF 17th-CENTURY CHINESE PORCELAIN
Teresa Canepa and Katharine Butler
This impressive book is more than a catalogue raisonné of the world famous collection assembled by British diplomat Sir Michael Butler (1927–2013)
It is the history of 17th-century Chinese porcelain told and illustrated by his comprehensive collection and includes a vast amount of new research into the iconography, production dates and markets of the porcelain. In 576 pages, it includes the story of how the collection was made, a chronological study of the porcelain as well as maps and tables showing the kiln sites, important shipwrecks and all known dated porcelain from the period. With over 1000 illustrations, it is a worth testimony to Sir Michael’s incredible depth of knowledge and his contribution to research in this field.
Hardback £ 175 / €200
A lovely animation made by a fan of the collection to coincide with the release of Leaping the Dragon Gate.
Katharine Butler describing her book, “Leaping the Dragon Gate”
BOOK REVIEWS
“magisterial and scholarly… ….one must salute the range, breadth, and aspiration of the book, which will surely stand as a standard reference work for years to come, as well as a recognition of one man’s contribution to the field.”—Orientations
“Over the course of 50 years, the keen-eyed diplomat Michael Butler built up the largest collection of 17th-century Chinese porcelain in the world.” —Apollo
“The book brings a wealth of new research … and by comparison to a huge database of dated porcelains assembled and published in the book.” —Asian Art Newspaper
“This handsome volume has been a monumental undertaking….and fulfils two distinct purposes. It is at once a tribute to Sir Michael Butler while also providing a very scholarly catalogue raisonné of his collection… Beautifully produced, lavishly illustrated….fully bilingual” – Arts of Asia
“this new bilingual book…adds another dimension to the existing literature. It provides both a systematic study of the collection and places it within a framework of existing seventeenth century pieces around the world…. A wonderful reference work for ceramic enthusiasts” – The Oriental Ceramics Society Newsletter
“Books such as this provide a firm, scholarly basis for our future understanding of this specialist field
of ceramic history, affirming the place of the Butler Collection in the global history of collecting Chinese ceramics.” The Burlington Magazine
“This is a landmark for the field and an extraordinary tribute to (Sir Michael’s) work” Mike Hearn, Douglas Dillon Chairman, Dept. of Asian Art, Metropolitan Museum, New York
“a fitting memorial……remarkable….this is the place to learn the meaning of the …subjects and stories painted on porcelain” —Country Life
Tousetu
Vanderven Magazine
This impressive book is more then a catalogue raisonné of the world famous collection assembled by British diplomat Sir Michael Butler; it is the history of 17th – century Chinese porcelain told and illustrated by his comprehensive collection.
Wreckwatch Magazine
Leaping the Dragon Gate is a dizzyingly ambitious book that catalogues and contextualizes over 800 pieces of Chinese porcelain acquired by the passionate collector the late Sir Michael Butler since 1961.
The Oriental Ceramics Society Newsletter
“this new bilingual book… adds another dimension to the existing literature. It provides both a systematic study of the collection and places it within a framework of existing seventeenth century pieces around the world …. A wonderful reference work for ceramic enthusiasts” – The Oriental Ceramics Society Newsletter, no. 30, May 2022, by Jessica Harrison-Hall
Arts of Asia
“This handsome volume has been a monumental undertaking… .and fulfils two distinct purposes. It is at once a tribute to Sir Michael Butler while also providing a very scholarly catalogue raisonné of his collection… Beautifully produced, lavishly illustrated….fully bilingual” – Arts of Asia, Autumn, 2022, by Rosemary Scott
The Burlington magazine
“Books such as this provide a firm, scholarly basis for our future understanding of this specialist field of ceramic history, affirming the place of the Butler Collection in the global history of collecting Chinese ceramics.” The Burlington Magazine, July 2022, by Helen Glaister.
Metropolitan Museum
“This is a landmark for the field and an extraordinary tribute to (Sir Michael’s) work” May, 2022, Mike Hearn, Douglas Dillon Chairman, Dept. of Asian Art, Metropolitan Museum, New York
Orientations March / April 2022
“magisterial and scholarly… ….one must salute the range, breadth, and aspiration of the book, which will surely stand as a standard reference work for years to come, as well as a recognition of one man’s contribution to the field.”—Orientations, March/April 2022, by Rose Kerr, former Keeper of the Far Eastern Dept. V&A Museum
Asian Art Newspaper
“The book brings a wealth of new research .. . and by comparison to a huge database of dated porcelains assembled and published in the book.” — Asian Art Newspaper, December 2021
Country Life
“a fitting memorial,remarkable,this is the place to learn the meaning of the subjects and stories painted on porcelain” — Country Life , December 2021, Huon Mallaieu
APOLLO MAGAZINE
“Over the course of 50 years, the keen-eyed diplomat Michael Butler built up the largest collection of 17th-century Chinese porcelain in the world.”—Apollo, November 2021, by Susan Moore
