Page 196 - Oriental Series Japan and China, Brinkly

CHINA

were used in manufacturing the porcelain mass a
conclusion consistent with the recorded facts that the

clay of the Ming potters was taken from the bed of

the river at Ching-te-chen, and that the supply
became exhausted in the second half of the sixteenth

century. The Kang-hsi keramists had recourse to

some other place, and the change is apparent in the

nature of their ware. This does not by any means

constitute an inferiority. In fineness of pate; in wax-

like purity and softness of glaze and body colour in
;

brilliancy and depth of blue pigment, and in bold-

ness, spirit and skill of decoration, Kang-hsi will

almost bear comparison with Hsuan-te. Whatever

advantage the latter period possesses in the inimitable
quality of its blue and the advantage, though not

to be denied, is trifling may be fairly matched by

the superiority of the former's decorative designs and

their highly artistic execution. Some of the land-

scapes, figures and floral subjects on vases of Kang-hsi

Kai-pien-yao are pictures that any master might be
proud to have painted, whether on account of the
decorative instinct shown in their subtle distribution,

or because of the vigour and feeling with which they

are limned.

The collector must not expect to find large, im-
posing pieces of Kai-pien-yao. The choicest speci-

mens are often of tiny dimensions, as might almost
be anticipated from the delicate nature of the ware.

Little vases, two or three inches high, for holding a

single blossom snufF bottles of even smaller size
; ;

vermilion boxes rice-bowls cups ; plates, and such
; ;

things, constitute the bulk of procurable examples.

Gracefully shaped vases from eight or ten inches to a

foot and a half in height may be occasionally found,

146