Page 228 - Oriental Series Japan and China, Brinkly

HINA

tack in the ets of Peking. In 1800 the
i

first edict -iting foreign opium was issued. To

studen ry these two events recall the com-

mencement of a long period more than sixty years

during which China had little rest from internal or

external complications. Not only her art excellence,

but even the ability that inspired . > have dis-

appeared. Nor is there, so far as c. erned,

much chance of a genuine renaissance. urs

and men of taste generally will not look at wai

longing to an epoch more recent than the eighteenth

century. There is practically nothing except the de-

mand of the foreign market to encourage modern

effort. Did Chinese annals contain any instance of

the keramic ind- g its vitality during the

same dynasty that witness e outlook
' FAMILLE ROSE PORCELAIN.

;- , !cMi (1SieMetpas:ge ne211|uJ

mi K*"*-kS -Bu^l

precedent. It ap

ment must be preceded by one of two events ;

comparative probability of which is difficult to esti-

mate a change of telligent revival

of official patronage on something like the ancient

scale of magnificence. Whatever stimulus the export

trade might have afforded, has been largely dimin-

ished by Japan's competition. Her manufacturers, in

addition to rapid rejuvenescence of technical skill,

show adaptability that ought to secure for their wares

the permanent favour, if not the ultimate monopoly,

of the Wester-

Before dismissing this portion of the t, a

rd should be said about a variety of blue-and- white

porcelain known to Western collect ' Nankin

e," and by the Japanese ascribed to workshops at

>ton. The latter misconception is evidently due

176