Page:Brinkley - China - Volume 1.djvu/240

 be difficult to find than choice specimens of the Famille Rose over the surface of which spread branches of peach or pomegranite, the stems, leaves, and fruit depicted with perfect fidelity, and the varying tones of the natural colours reproduced to perfection. Rich, luscious strawberries, apparently growing in the glaze, blossoms of plum and magnolia, lotus flowers, and other graceful objects of the floral kingdom were included in the decorator's répertoire, and nothing could exceed the delicacy and truthfulness of their pictures on his pieces. It will be understood that reference is here made not to porcelain of the Kang-hsi era alone, but also to ware manufactured down to the end of the eighteenth century, the greater part dating from the reigns of Yung-ching and Chien-lung. During the period of about eighty years from 1720 to 1800, an unvarying level of excellence was maintained in Famille Rose ware. The collector should have no difficulty in recognising a good specimen, for though similarly decorated porcelains were produced in quantity, especially during the Taou-Kwang (1821–1851) and Hien-fung (1851–1862) eras, the inferior quality of their pâte and glaze determines their date at once. Milk white, pure perfectly uniform glaze, and fine, close-grained biscuit are absolutely essential features in good examples of the Famille Rose. Pieces younger than the early years of the present century, though their decoration may be skilful and attractive, are always deficient in these important points.

Perhaps the most celebrated porcelains of this class in the eyes of Western collectors are the "ruby-backs" and "rose-backs." They are ware of egg-shell thinness, generally bowls, cups, or plates, having their under surface covered with ruby or rose glaze,