Page 484 - The art of the Chinese potter By Hobson

PLATE CVIII

Fig. i. Stem cup {pa pei), goblet-shaped ; fine white porcelain
with three fishes in brilliant red under the glaze. The stem
is hollow. Mark in blue inside the bowl enclosed by a double
ring, Ta Ming Hsiian Te nien chih, made in the Hsiian Te
period of the Great Ming dynasty (i.e. 1426-35 A.D.).
This period is famous for its underglaze red derived from
copper, and these stem cups with fish are specially mentioned
among the triumphs of the time.
H. 31".
In the possession of Mr. P. David.

Fig. 2. Dish, saucer shaped. Porcelain, with red glaze inside and
out, except for a narrow band at the mouth-rim and the hollow
of the base, which are white. Under the base is, faintly incised

within a double ring, the mark of the Hsiian Te period in six

characters (1426-35).

The red, derived from copper, has developed a brilliant

crimson on the sides, though it is rather duller in the middle.

It is the chi hung or sacrificial red for which the Hsiian Te
period was famous. Cf. Po wu yao Ian, " bowl, in colour red
as the sun, but with white mouth-rim." The paste is fine-
grained, and browned at the exposed edge. The white glaze

under the base is solid-looking and of bluish tone.
D. 8-3".
In the British Museum.