Page:Brinkley - China - Volume 1.djvu/244

 rate, generally consisting of a profusion of floral scrolls and figure subjects. The effect seen by transmitted light is very beautiful. These are probably the largest examples of egg-shell porcelain ever produced by the Chinese potter. They are found in the Famille Verte and Famille Rose types, and their technique is always excellent. It should be noted, however, that probably in no field have the keramists of recent eras been more successful than in the reproduction of these lamp-shades. Specimens from the Taon-kwang, Heen-fung, Tung-chi, and even later kilns, approach very closely to the masterpieces of Kang-hsi and Chien-lung, for which many of them have doubtless been, and are still, mistaken by Western collectors.

Western connoisseurs regard, as a feature of merit, the presence of metallic reflection, or iridescent tints, in the enamels of polychrome porcelains. Such effects are most usual in the case of green, yellow, black, and purple glazes. They are believed to be due to an admixture of lead in the enamel. There is no evidence that they were specially admired by the Chinese themselves, though when viewed by strong sunlight they certainly possess considerable beauty. Amateurs familiar with the faiences of Gubbio and Majolica attach conspicuous importance to this feature.

An interesting fact in the annals of Chinese keramists is that, while Europe sat at their feet and borrowed inspiration from them in all matters relating to the potter's art, they, in turn, devoted much effort and ability to imitating a certain kind of European porcelain, namely, the painted ware of Sèvres. So far as concerned decorative technique, they succeeded perfectly, though they do not appear to have