Page 15 - The art of the Chinese potter By Hobson

PREFACE

Many students and collectors of Chinese pottery and porcelain

find greater help from examination of good illustrations of the wares
which delight them than they gain from reading detailed descrip-
tions. So far as the later wares of China are concerned, and by

that term we mean the examples produced after the close of the
Ming dynasty in the middle of the 17th century, several volumes

of plates have been produced. But apart from the illustrations

accompanying the descriptive accounts of the pre-Ming and Ming

wares, there is a dearth of informative reproductions of the work

of the earlier potters.

The object of this volume is to furnish the collector with a series
of representations of some of the finest examples which are known
to exist in this country. The description of each specimen has
been carefully made so that with the plate before him, the collector
may realise as far as possible the main characteristics exhibited by

it. Care has been taken to select examples which have not been
well illustrated in accessible works, for it is tiresome to be con-
fronted with notable pieces which are already familiar. But this
course has involved the exclusion of a number of magnificent
specimens which would naturally find a place in this volume.

On the other hand, there are fortunately in this country a number

of private collections of first-rate importance from which it has

been our privilege to draw. To all who have placed their cabinets
at our disposal we tender our sincerest thanks ; as the ownership

is indicated in each instance it is unnecessary to particularise
further the collections used.

The most famous album of fine examples of Chinese porcelain

was that compiled by Hsiang Yuan-p'ien in the 16th century. He
added to the interest of his specimens by describing in many cases

the circumstances under which he or his friends acquired them.

We have been tempted to do the same, for an account of some of

the adventures experienced by our friends in the pursuit and

capture of their treasures would be entertaining. But we have
refrained from doing so because we might deprive those collectors
of some of their best stories, and thereby return evil for good.

By way of introduction a short account is included of the main
features which mark the growth of the art of the Chinese potter

during the periods concerned, and a brief description is furnished