Page 225 - Oriental Series Japan and China, Brinkly

PORCELAIN DECORATED
.

tation. Many pieces dating from that era show beauty

and technical excellence. But the art had taken a dis-

tinctly downward tendency, which became more and
more marked in the next period, Taou-kivang (1821
1851). The porcelains of the latter, with few ex-
ceptions, are comparatively coarse and meritless. The

impure colour of their blue decoration accords well

wr ith their faulty technique. This unsatisfactory state

of affairs culminated in 1852, during the Hien-fung

epoch (18511862), when the factories at Ching-te-
chen were destroyed in the Taeping rebellion. They

were subsequently restored, and are at present tolera-
bly active. But it is difficult to trace any affinity be-

tween the wares now produced and their admirable

predecessors of the Chien-lung and Kang-hsi periods.

Doubtless the decadence which commenced during

the reign of Chia-tsing is to be attributed to the
troubled state of the empire. In China the prosperity
of the keramic industry appears to have been prac-

tically dependent upon imperial patronage. Under
the Sung, Tuan, and Ming dynasties alike intervals of

difficulty and disturbance preceding the downfall of
the reigning house were synchronous with a decay

of the potter's art. The analogy holds for the Tsing

dynasty also. When Chien-lung's successor ascended

the throne, he found the empire at the zenith of
its power and renown. Elements of disturbance,
though always existing, had been successfully held in
check by the clear judgment and iron will of the

great ruler. They speedily eluded the feeble control

of Chia-tsing. Before he had been half a dozen
years in power, the treason of secret societies was al-
ready becoming formidable. In 1803 he achieved
the notoriety of barely escaping from a murderous at-