Page 22 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

xviii CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
—
1340. Pegolotti, a factor of the great Florentine house
of Bardi, ruined about this time through its dealings with
Edward III. of England, put out his trade guide. The first
two contain instructions for the merchant
chapters proceeding
to and the route as via AzofT, Astrakhan, Khiva,
Cathay, gives
Otrar, etc., to Hang-Chow and Peking (Enc. Brit., vol. v. 629).
Ming (oe "Bright") Dynasty, 1368-1644.
Colour Green.
"
It was under this dynasty that the manufactory of porce-
lain received its greatest development, and much care was
"
bestowed the
upon painting specimens (Franks).
1368-1398. — Hung-woo period. The son of a Chinese
man headed the in
labouring rebellion, captured Nanking
—
—
1355 then the imperial city but did not declare himself
emperor till 1368; and became the founder of the Ming
(or "Bright") dynasty. As a quondam Buddhist priest he
lent his countenance to that
naturally religion.
1398-1403. — Keen- wan, grandson of the above, only
reigned some five years, and was deposed by his uncle.
—
1403-1425. Yung-lo period. Eldest surviving son of
In 1408 the was transferred to
Hung-woo. capital Peking;
he added Tonquin and Cochin-China to the empire, and made
conquests in Tartary. At home he devoted himself to the
encouragement of the fine arts and literature. This period
is said to be the third best in the Ming dynasty as regards
He renewed the old law
porcelain. prohibiting Buddhism,
from the that Keen-wan was sheltered
possibly knowledge by
the Buddhist priests. He died in 1425, and was succeeded —
by
1425-1426. — Hung-ke, whose reign was short and uneventful.
—
1426-1436. tSeuen-tih period. This was considered the
best Ming period in porcelain. During this period Cochin-
China gained independence.
1436-1450. — Ching-tung period. This emperor was de-
feated and taken prisoner by a Tartar chieftain, a descendant
of the Yuen family, who spared his life but kept him a
until defeated the Chinese, when Ye-seen liberated
prisoner by
his captive, who returned to his capital amidst the rejoicings
of his people, again to occupy his throne, which during his
had been held his brother The
imprisonment, by King-tai.
hitter part of Ching-tung's reign forms the Tien-chun period.