Page 573 - Chinese Porcelain Vol II, Galland

ENAMELLED PORCELAIN. 481

KEA-KING, 1796-1821.
UNDER the feeble rule of this monarch the into
country got
a disturbed state, and, as was the case, whenever
very always
China ceased to prosper King-te-chin suffered. There must,
however, have been a large staff of skilled artisans at the
imperial works, accustomed to work up to the high standard
of the and to this reason we are
preceding reign, probably
indebted for the fine quality pieces we sometimes meet with
under this mark : the court took little interest in
apparently
art or bestowed much patronage thereon. The porcelain of
this period is often of a good white paste, as we see exempli-
fied in the better services made for and America
quality Europe
in the nineteenth
early century.
Enamelled Porcelain.

For the finest examples of any reign or class, one has only
to to the Bennett collection, and in Nos. 863, 864 we see
go
this at its best. Some of this enamelled
Kea-king period
ware, decorated with conventionalized 'floral designs, is very
beautiful, and seems to have been in vogue about this time
as in the to which
(see also Nos. 397, 399), following reign,
fine also
specimens belong.
"
No. 863. Cylindrical imperial vase, with own cover.
Height, 7^ inches.
"
At the neck, shoulders, and base are various bands. The
body of the vase is composed of a pale turquoise blue, on
which run of a floral character in various
many flowing designs
coloured enamels and The cover is also covered with
gold.
pale turquoise blue, on which are floral designs in the same
coloured enamels as are on the body.
"
This vase has almost the effect as if it were jewelled, the
decoration in many parts being slightly raised. It is a very
nice piece of the Kea-king period, 1796-1821, and is marked
with the seal mark of that on the base in
square epoch gilt."
No. 864. "One of a of ware bottles, with
pair imperial
scroll ears in coral red and 7 inches in
fancy gilt, height.
"
The decoration, which is in famille rose, consists of several