Our Background
The Olde China Trader, symbolized by the Clipper Ship, carries a line of high quality Chinese antiques and products that harkens back to the days of the China Trade in the 19th Century. The association of the Clipper Ship with the China Trade along the eastern seaboard of the United States has a rich history."China Clippers" carried tea, silks and Chinese porcelain from the ports of south China to the ports of 19th Century America. Many homes in Rhode Island and the surrounding vicinity have fine china and other treasured antiquities that made the voyage between the Middle Kingdom and the east coast of the United States.
The Olde China Trader deals in authentic Chinese furniture, Qing Dynasty and Min period (1644-1916) porcelain pieces from the Imperial kilns of Jingdezhen as well as several local kilns, silk embroideries that go back to the early Qing Dynasty, new and old carpets from Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi and Xinjiang, wood carvings, basket ware, lanterns, jade ware, contemporary Chinese paintings and assorted arts and crafts. The Olde China Trader strives to insure that most pieces are unique, one of a kind articles that will make treasured possessions and memorable gifts.

The founders of the Olde China Trader are Mr. Richard Yang, and Mike and Marie Byrnes. Mike and Marie, now residents of Beijing, have lived in Hong Kong and China for the past 20 years. During this time Mike and Marie studied the culture and history of China and truly appreciate the arts and crafts of the Chinese people, especially antique Chinese furniture and porcelains. They developed a love of the clean lines and understated elegance of Ming style furniture as well as the beauty and artistic symbolism of fine porcelains. Mike and Marie also acquired a fondness for the more functional and rustic countryside pieces suitable for a casual setting.

Mr. Yang's interest in antiquities dates back more than 20 years when he began working in furniture exhibitions. He began collecting antiques in 1979 when the first free market began in Beijing. In the 1980's, he studied Chinese antiques from Cao Shutian, a curator and antiquities experts working with the Palace Museum of the Forbidden City. Mr. Yang has been teaching classes on antique porcelain and furniture since 1996 to members of the foreign community in Beijing. He is the proprietor of his own antique shop and a furniture restoration service in Beijing.

The Olde China Trader is located on the historic Bristol waterfront at the site of what formerly was Bristol's largest and most active commercial pier. Watch for the next "China Clipper" to call with fine Chinese cargoes at the Olde China Trader.

The Olde China Trader is pleased to announce that items on our web site can be purchased using the following system. Once you identify an item that you would like to order please call Marie at 401 254 8954 or 401 499 7021 with the item number and name. Marie will provide the price, any additional information required and she will arrange shipping. Shipping costs are to be borne by the purchaser. We will identify the shipping cost prior to final sale. This transaction could also be conducted by e-mail to the oldechinatrader@hotmail.com or to mariebyrnes@hotmail.com


 
 
Contact Information

Thames Street Landing Shop 6C
259 Thames St
Bristol, RI 02809
TEL: 401 254 8954 FAX: 401 254 2321
E-Mail: oldechinatrader@hotmail.com