CHINA
PORCEL A BNSREL ORATED
specimens attributed to him there is scarcely one into whose decorative design the plum does not enter in some form or other. It is possible that the grace and appropriateness of such a motive may have spe- cially appealed to Japanese taste; but inasmuch as Japan sat humbly at China’s feet in the matter of keramics in the sixteenth century, and as many con- siderations must have swayed Shonzui to faithful imi- tation of his teachers’ models, it seems a reasonable inference that his free use of the mezhwa reflected the tendency of Chinese potters also in his time. This part of the subject has so much interest for American and European collectors that the portions of the
Tao-/u bearing on the subject may be appended in fall
Porcelains decorated with blue sous couverte, whether round, square, or angular in shape, are distinguished by the epochs of their manufacture; as, for example, porcelains of Hsuan-té, of Chéng-hwa, of Chia-ching, and of Wan-li. For the monochrome called Chia-ching, or blue of the sky after rain, azure has also to be combined with the glazing matter. The mineral is found in two districts of the province of Che-kiang. Those who procure it go to the mountains and dig for it. They wash it, by means of baskets, in the moun- tain streams to remove the earthy matter adhering to it. It is dark yellowin colour. Large round pieces are of the first quality. They are distinguished by the names of the places whence they come. Traders carry them to the porcelain kilns, roast them there for three days, wash them carefully and sell them to the potters. There is a species of blue found in the mountains of Kiang-si and Kuan-tung, but it is pale in colour and incapable of enduring the action of the fire. It serves only for decorating common vases.
The same writer, quoting from an encyclopedia, says : —
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