Page 270 - Oriental Series Japan and China, Brinkly

CHINA

be difficult to find than choice specimens of the Famille

Rose over the surface of which spread branches of
peach or pomegranite, the stems, leaves, and fruit de-
picted with perfect fidelity, and the varying tones of

the natural colours reproduced to perfection. Rich,

luscious strawberries, apparently growing in the glaze,
blossoms of plum and magnolia, lotus flowers, and
other graceful objects of the floral kingdom were in-
cluded in the decorator's repertoire, and nothing could
exceed the delicacy and truthfulness of their pictures

on his pieces. It will be understood that reference

is here made not to porcelain of the Kang-hsi era
alone, but also to ware manufactured down to the

end of the eighteenth century, the greater part dat-
ing from the reigns of Yung-ching and Chien-lung.
During the period of about eighty years from 1720

to 1800, an unvarying level of excellence was main-

tained in Famille Rose ware. The collector should

have no difficulty in recognising a good specimen, for
though similarly decorated porcelains were produced

in quantity, especially during the Taou-Kwang (1821
1851) and Hien-fung (18511862) eras, the inferior
quality of their pate and glaze determines their date
at once. Milk white, pure perfectly uniform glaze,
and fine, close-grained biscuit are absolutely essential

features in good examples of the Famille Rose. Pieces
younger than the early years of the present century,

though their decoration may be skilful and attractive,

are always deficient in these important points.

Perhaps the most celebrated porcelains of this class
"
in the eyes of Western collectors are the ruby-
"
backs and "rose-backs." They are ware of egg-

shell thinness, generally bowls, cups, or plates, having

their under surface covered with ruby or rose glaze,

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