Page 280 - The art of the Chinese potter By Hobson

PLATE LVII

Fig. i. Bottle with slender neck ending in a bulb (" onion shape ");
porcellanous ware with faint reddish translucency ; creamy
white glaze of Ting type, lightly crackled. Finely carved

design of archaic dragons among ling chih fungus. On the

neck, a double border of formal leaf design and ju-i pattern
and a ju-i pattern on the bulb.

A beautifully finished piece probably made by one of the

late Ming potters who specialised in imitations of Ting ware.
The potting of the base and the nature of the crackled glaze

support this attribution.

H. 6-75'.
In the possession of Mr. J. Baird.

Fig. 2. Round box with flattened cover. Beautiful cream-white

" soft-paste " ware with lightly incised designs. On the

cover is a five-clawed Imperial dragon rising from waves to
grasp a pearl, and round the sides a wave pattern.

This attractive type of ware was doubtless intended to recall

the Sung Ting porcelain, and we know that skilful potters were
engaged in making imitations of Ting ware at Ching-te Chen

in the latter half of the 16th century. It will, however, be
remembered that similar cream-white wares of great beauty

were made in the early reigns of the Manchu dynasty, and the
differences between the Ming and Ch'ing imitations of the
Sung ware will always be difficult to seize.

Probably 16th century. D. 4".
In the possession of Mr. F. N. Schiller.