CHATS ON
ORIENTAL CHINA
BOOKS FOR COLLECTORS
With Coloured Frontispieces and many Illustrations.
Large Crown 8vo, 5s. net.
CHATS ON OLD CHINA.
By Arthur Hayden.
CHATS ON OLD FURNITURE.
By Arthur Hayden.
CHATS ON OLD PRINTS.
By Arthur Hayden.
CHATS ON COSTUME.
By G. Woolliscroft Rhead.
CHATS ON OLD LACE AND NEEDLEWORK.
By Mrs. Lowes.
CHATS ON ORIENTAL CHINA.
By J. F. Blacker.
CHATS ON MINIATURES.
By J. J. Foster.
LONDON: T. FISHER UNWIN
DESCRIPTION OF VASE.
High-necked vase with melon-shaped body and double protuberance above. One ofa pair. Formal handles on the neck in imitation of bamboo-work. The body andprotuberances decorated with bamboo stems having yellow and green reserves decoratedwith flowers and plants. The neck decorated with diaper pattern, yellow on green.The flattened top ornamented with black and green triangle-work.
Period, (Kang-he) 1662-1722.
Chats on
ORIENTAL CHINA
BY
J. F. BLACKER
AUTHOR OF THE "A B C OF COLLECTING OLD CHINA," ETC.
ILLUSTRATED
LONDON
T. FISHER UNWIN
ADELPHI TERRACE
MCMVIII
(All rights reserved)
5
PREFACE
If there is one regret that accompanies the issueof these "Chats on Oriental China" it is that theillustrations could not be given in all the beautyof their magnificent colouring. In a photograph,however fine it may be, it is obvious that only theshape and the decoration can be given. Roughlyspeaking, the illustrations represent in its Ming andKang-he specimens about £100,000 in value. Thepieces represented are the most admirable and therarest. The reader is advised to bestow much attentionon the reading of the descriptions accompanyingeach picture. There is no form of instruction morevaluable than this analysis, which forms the basis ofthe sale catalogues of the most recherché collections.
The collector who masters this book may betakehimself to the museums with considerable confidencethat he will be in a position to understand; in fact,to read the pieces which he wishes to study. Takefor example, the unique Salting Collection at theVictoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington.To the ordinary visitor interested in porcelain thespecimens present an exquisite, if embarrassing,assembly of choice pieces whose colour, decoration,and age cannot be grasped, they can only be admired.6The eye may be trained, but the understanding never.The absence of a catalogue handicaps and indeedbaffles the amateur. But if the knowledge previouslyobtained is sufficient to enable him to master thesubject, the style, form, and colour, nothing cangive more pleasure than the investigation of sucha collection w