Page 41 - Chinese porcelains collected by Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Taft, Cincinnati, Ohio, by John Getz

HISTORICAL

During this and the succeeding period, Lung-ch'ien (l 567-1 572), lived a

clever potter named Ts'Ui-kong (venerable Ts'iii), who was celebrated for

mhis copies of objects made earlier periods; his porcelams were con-

Asidered the finest of his time. manufactory of porcelain was also estab-

lished in the province of Tche-kiang (Julien) ; the product, however, was
considered inferior to that made at Kmg-te-chen.

This later reign is particularly noted for certain porcelains that were in-

spired by much older specimens, and especially for decoration by colored

glazes on "biscuit" paste. These specimens were thinly glazed in rich

Whentones: i.e., manganese-purple, yellow, turquoise, and red. the or-

namentation was in relief, or engraved, differences of outline and surface

would keep the different-colored glazes distinct.

The Lung-ch'ien period (1567-1572) is especially noted through
the existence at that time of a potter who settled at King-te-chen and

produced a great variety of objects, some of which excelled in the

—imitation of antiques, " amateurs disputing for its possession as soon

as it left his hands." It is also mentioned " that they did not mind

paying enormous prices for small pieces." This statement is interesting

as showing that the really fine pieces were not always intended for the

palace.

With the exception of the so-called "Mohammedan blue," there is no

mtint of cobalt which cannot be found this latter porcelain. During this

reign, and especially that of Wan-li, which followed, the govemment was

harassed by the Manchu Tartars, who eventually established the (present)
Ch'ing dynasty. The porcelains produced during these periods are very
much alike. While the product was enormous and large orders came

for the use of the palace, the deterioration of the porcelain, especially

of the wares made at the Imperial factories, became marked, largely owing

to the disorder of the empire and to the failure in the supply of good

materials.

In the period of Wan-li (l 573-1619), many distinguished ceramists are

mentioned in the Chinese chronicles, on account of their skill in making
reproductions of older porcelains, especially the famous " Chiin-yao" porce-