Page 462 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

248 CHINESE PORCELAIN.

Seuen-tih (1426-1436) is considered by the Chinese to have
been the best Ming period, the Ching-hwa taking the second
in their estimation.
place
With the seal marks we get on to firmer ground. The
Keen-lung (1736-1795) is sometimes given in the " plain
characters," but more frequently in the seal style, and this
of is considered to have been
system marking generally
first used during this reign, so that there is every reason
to think that the Kang-he (1661-1722) dates in this cha-
racter are not above Of course, the later the
suspicion.
date the more the are to to the
likely pieces belong period
stated.
Marks in which the word tang (hall) occurs, Chinese
scholars seem to agree in thinking indicate the origin of the
In some cases the word chi is used, while
porcelain. (made)
" '
in others simply the name of the hall is given. With
to the Sliun-tilt eld mark, "made at the culti-
regard tang
vation of virtue hall," Sir A. W. Franks says, " This
mark is on specimens of different kinds and very varied
The name derived from the ' The
quality. is classics,
Great Learning,' ch. x. 6. It is said to be the hall name
of a tao-tai, or superintendent of the imperial porcelain
Hall marks seem to be in the
manufactory." generally
"plain character."
The other inscribed marks are written in various characters,
"
and the above-named author says generally are commenda-
tions of the porcelain ; stating that it is jade, a pearl, elegant,
antique, precious, etc. Some of these may possibly be names ;
occasionally they refer to the subject."
Symbol marks are taken chiefly from the eight ordinary
or eight Buddhist symbols already described. The follow-
ing is a list of the devices most commonlv met with as
marks :—
The of which the leaf
eight ordinary symbols, (No. 37) is
the favourite, appearing in a great variety of shapes, as may be
seen by comparing those given with the illustrations in the
blue and white, powdered blue, and famille verte classes. The
sonorous stone (No. 32) is to be met with, but does not seem to
have been much used as a mark.
Of the Buddhist the fish the
eight symbols, (No. 25),