[Photo provided to China Daily]

Chinese porcelain was exported from the 16th century and decorated the homes of royalty and dignitaries — and, eventually, ordinary people.

Beijing's Overseas Chinese History Museum will display the collections of Xi Jianjun and Wu Pei — two Chinese who live in Europe — through Dec 10.

Over 200 antique pieces trace motifs' evolution. Earlier exports depicted Chinese folk images. Artisans later adopted icons from Greek and Roman myths and daily scenes of Europeans to appeal to Westerners.

The collections include customized works created for Europe's high society, such as plates, vases and pots featuring nobles' family seals.