Originating in Japan, this beautiful style developed in the 17th and 18th Century and came to Britain not long after, mostly through porcelain imported first from Japan, then from China. It became a very popular style, and British porcelain decorators quickly adapted it to their own tastes, adding very Western details such as English roses and other flowers... and sometimes turning the powerful Japanese dragons into strange monsters!
You can read the full story in my article, which you can find here... and if you want to read all my columns hot off the press, see below for a discounted subscription link to Homes & Antiques.