Page:Brinkley - China - Volume 1.djvu/332

 CHINA

of Sévres. These are used both for painting over the glaze and for monochromes. As monochromes they are found on the so-called “ ruby-backed ” egg-shell bowls and plates, so highly esteemed by American and European collector, though “ Rouge Red” and “¢ Jujube Red”’ are also employed for the same pur- pose. In decoration over the glaze they are seen on the beautiful porcelains of the Rose Family.

The term “ruby-backed’’ —to which reference has already been made—is employed by Western connoisseurs to denote porcelains which, though they do not constitute a separate family, being simply a variety of the Famille Rose, have seemed worthy of independent designation. They are certainly very choice and beautiful examples of keramic art. Their distinguishing feature, as the name denotes, is that the outer surface is completely covered with red enamel. The porcelain being as thin as paper, this coloured backing is distinctly seen through it, an effect of great softness and delicacy being thus pro- duced. The enamel generally used is that called Yen-chi-hung (rouge red), but Tsao-hung (jujube red) is also found, as well as crimson and pink of the «European type.” It will be seen, therefore, that the colour of the backing varies, and that the term “ruby red”’ is too limited to be truly descriptive. Plates, bowls, and small cups are practically the only examples of this ware. Evidently the potter, guided by the consideration that the effect of the enamel backing would be lost unless the whole inner surface of the piece were visible, and doubtless deterred by the difficulties of the task, generally refrained from making vases. Sometimes the “ruby” backing is the only decoration employed, but usually the other

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