Page 274 - Oriental Series Japan and China, Brinkly

CHINA

rate, generally consisting of a profusion of floral scrolls

and figure subjects. The effect seen by transmitted

light is very beautiful. These are probably the lar-
gest examples of egg-shell porcelain ever produced by

the Chinese potter. They are found in the Famillf

Verte and Famille Rose types, and their technique is
always excellent. It should be noted, however, that
probably in no field have the keramists of recent eras
been more successful than in the reproduction of
these lamp-shades. Specimens from the Taon-kwang,
Heen-fungy Tung-chi, and even later kilns, approach
very closely to the masterpieces of Kang-hsi and

Chien-lung, for which many of them have doubtless

been, and are still, mistaken by Western collectors.
Western connoisseurs regard, as a feature of merit,

the presence of metallic reflection, or iridescent tints,
in the enamels of polychrome porcelains. Such
effects are most usual in the case of green, yellow,

black, and purple glazes. They are believed to be

due to an admixture of lead in the enamel. There

is no evidence that they were specially admired by

the Chinese themselves, though when viewed by

strong sunlight they certainly possess considerable

beauty. Amateurs familiar with the faiences of
Gubbio and Majolica attach conspicuous importance

to this feature.

An interesting fact in the annals of Chinese ker-

amists is that, while Europe sat at their feet and bor-
rowed inspiration from them in all matters relating

to the potter's art, they, in turn, devoted much

effort and ability to imitating a certain kind of Euro-
pean porcelain, namely, the painted ware of Sevres.
So far as concerned decorative technique, they suc-
ceeded perfectly, though they do not appear to have

216