It is impossible here to dwell upon or to know much of the various descriptions of china made down to the period of the Ming dynasty (1368 to 1649). Upon the productions of this period the Chinese collectors and antiquaries place the highest value—in many cases much greater even than is now given to them in Europe.
Some examples of this period are to be seen in Europe and a few in America.
One of our commissioners, who met the Chinese and Japanese at the Vienna Exposition, was told by them that they were purchasing choice pieces of porcelain, intending to take them back to their countries, where they are more valuable than in Europe: for, from the earliest days, it seems that both the Chinese and Japanese have been keen critics and lovers of this most fascinating work.
Jacquemart and others have attempted to arrange the decorated work into groups as follows:
The Archaic—of which perhaps none exists.
The Chrysanthemo-Pæonienne.
The Famille-vert, or Green.
The Famille-rose, or Pink.
Besides these are many sub-varieties. These groups indicate the style of decoration of which we shall attempt to give some sketches, although, as they want color, they must necessarily be faint.
The chrysanthemo-pæonienne exhibits the use in various ways of the chrysanthemum and peony. We give here examples to show the style of decoration, as far as we are able to do it without color.