Famille Rose porcelain is one of the most iconic styles of Chinese ceramics, renowned for its delicate pastel colors and intricate designs. Originating during the Qing Dynasty, particularly under the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong emperors, Famille Rose offers a unique combination of artistry and craftsmanship that has captured the imagination of collectors for centuries.

Famille Rose, also known as "ruancai (soft colors)," is a type of overglazed porcelain developed by the Qing imperial court, in addition to the already established enamel colors. This technique involves painting on a porcelain body that has been fired at high temperatures, followed by the application of a layer of "glass white" containing arsenic. After the pigment is applied, it is brushed to spread and dissolve, creating a powdery effect due to the corrosive action of the arsenic. The piece is then fired a second time in a kiln at 700-800°C. The resulting porcelain has a unique powdery texture and a pronounced tactile feel.

In the Qianlong reign it acquired the name yangcai (foreign colors), possible since this new decorative technique used many imported materials, and its method of mixing pigments was also 'foreign' however, it could also refer to the popularity abroad these gaudily decorated wares had with the export markets, which by and by overtook the market for the blue and white wares.