Page 55 - Chinese Porcelain Vol II, Galland

DECORATED IN ARCHAIC STYLE. 289

matter, and there is every indication that the marked improve-
ment did not take place at the very commencement of this period,
not until some
twenty years
in fact, probably, later ; and, as
already stated, the finest pieces are those produced towards the
end of the reign.
Like most great rulers, Kang-he possessed the art of selecting
the most suitable men for the various
filling government offices,
and Chinese writers accord credit to
great Ts'ang Ying-hsiian
and others, who were this intrusted with of
during period charge
the Imperial works, and to whose knowledge, skill, and anxious
labour, the many improvements introduced were no doubt due ;
in fact, we may take it that all the fine pieces we possess
date from after 1682, when the above-named official seems to
have taken of the works at
charge Imperial King-te-chin.
Biscuit Celadons.
We are indebted to Mr. G. R. Davies for the
following
example of this class, but which may belong to the last dynasty,
although placed here.
"
Nos. 496, 497. A inches high, with
square-shaped vase, 1],
masks at side. The decoration on the neck and lip is in blue on
white Round the bottom of the neck runs a band in a
ground.
dullish enamel laid on over blue, which extends down
green
each four corners of the vase, and also round the base. The
surface of the is like biscuit, and on them the
panels unglazed
decoration is somewhat raised or embossed in various green,
aubergine, turquoise, red, and yellow enamels, though red and
yellow are most sparingly used, the other colours predomi-
One a mountain with
nating. panel represents landscape
and the other a with flowers and rocks. At
figures, phoenix
each side the decoration is alike. Above the masks are
emblems in colours, and below them bifurcated dragons in
and The masks themselves are in blue,
turquoise aubergine.
and the rings, which are only slightly raised and not detached
from the vase, are It has no mark, but has much
aubergine.
the of a to which date it
appearance Ming piece, may belong."
Decorated in Arehaie Style.
"
No. 498 also comes from Mr. G. R. Davies. A puzzle vase,
8 inches in The surface of this vase is of a creamy
height.