CHINA
The porcelain dates from the Chêng-hwa era of the Ming dynasty, and its manufacture was continued until the end of the Kang-hsi period. It came from the workshops at Ching-tê-chên. No special interest attaches to it. There is, however, another ware classed by some connoisseurs as San-tsai-ki, but not really belonging to that family, from which it differs primarily in the nature of its pâte—not hard porcelain, but pottery or stone-ware—and essentially in the manner of applying the decoration, which covers the whole surface, leaving no portion of the biscuit exposed. In jars and vases of this faience large portions of the surface are often pierced in reticulated patterns with peonies, dragons, or lions suspended among the reticulation, the intervening spaces having diapers or scrolls in relief. The raised parts as well as the designs suspended in the reticulation are enamelled in green, turquoise-blue, white, maroon, yellow, or purple, some one of which colours, generally turquoise-blue or green, is employed to cover the rest of the surface also. The enamels are opaque and comparatively dull, and the technique is usually of second-rate quality. The choicest specimens of this ware are without reticulation, their decorative effect depending entirely on contrast of rich colours. A frequent and highly artistic type has a bold scroll of peonies in relief, in white or yellow enamel on a purple or turquoise-blue ground. Still more elaborate examples have figures of mythical personages among conventional clouds, with bands of diaper and scroll pattern above and below; green, yellow, white, and purple enamels are employed for this raised decoration, while the body colour is strong turquoise-blue or peacock green. Such pieces are decorative and
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