"We must not forget that they started the sea trade because the majority of things that were bought were things that could not be made in Europe," points out Craig Clunas. Porcelain lacquer could not be made in Europe; silk could but it was much more expensive.
「我們當然不能忘了海上貿易之初，歐洲主顧的工業技術還不足以製造這些中國外銷貨」，柯格律博士表示，當時歐洲人不會製瓷器；可以造絲，可是成本太高。