Page 146 - Oriental Series Japan and China, Brinkly

CHINA

careful to distinguish from the original Kuan-yao of
the Sung dynasty. At this time, also, the custom of
using marks to indicate the epoch of manufacture
came into general vogue. It will be remembered
that the custom originated three centuries previously,
in the reign of the Emperor Chin-tsong. Genuine
specimens of ware bearing the Ching-te or other Sung

marks are, of course, virtually unprocurable. The

marks are found, however, on imitations manufactured

at Ching-te-chen by comparatively modern potters.

The same is true of Ming year-marks. Collectors

should hold to the general rule that such marks are

untrustworthy. Many forgeries exist for one honest

mark. Thus, although various marks will henceforth
be mentioned in connection with blue-and-white

ware, the reader will understand that they are not
quoted as true indications. In blue-and-white porce-
lain the connoisseur has to look first to the nature and

quality of the pate ; next to the purity and brilliancy

of the blue decoration thirdly, to the manner in
;

which the design is executed, and fourthly to the

texture and colour of the glaze. Thus guided, he

can usually form an idea approximating more or less

closely to the truth, and is then enabled to decide

whether the year-mark may be taken as a final in-

dication. With respect to the four points here

enumerated, verbal descriptions cannot be wholly

satisfactory. Features permitting such explanation

will, however, be carefully noted in their proper

place.

The blue-and-white of the Hung-wu era (1368

1399) was still an inferior product. It is not men-
"
tioned at all in the History of Ching-te-chen

Keramics," unless the jars there spoken of as orna-

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