[402] The Yang–hsien ming hu hsi (quoted in the T´ao lu, bk. viii., fol. 8 verso) states that Ch´ên Chung–mei began by making porcelain at Ching–tê Chên. "It was exceedingly clever, and of an ornamental kind, made with supernatural ingenuity. But the results of his trade were far from sufficient to establish a name, so he gave it up and came to Yang–hsien (i.e. Yi–hsing). He took a delight in blending the teapot clays, putting his heart and soul into the work, and his ware was considered superhuman."
[403] I have seen specimens of Yi–hsing red ware coated with a dappled bird's egg glaze of blue green ground flecked with crimson, a type which was thought to represent the "Chün glaze of the muffle kiln." See vol. ii., p. 217.
[404] For this and other information on the subject, see M.L. Solon's paper on "The Noble Buccaros" in the North Staffordshire Literary and Philosophic Society's Proceedings, October 23rd, 1896.
[405] See T´ao lu, bk. vii., fol. 11 verso: "(Ou ware) was made in the Ming dynasty by a man of Yi–hsing ... who took the name of Ou, and everybody called it Ou's ware. It included wares which imitated Ko ware in crackle, Kuan and Chün wares in colour. Ou's bright coloured glazes were very numerous. The wares consist of flower dishes, stands for boxes, etc. The glazes with red and blue markings are particularly choice. At Ch´ang–nan the factory of T´ang used to imitate them." The last sentence refers to the celebrated T´ang Ying, who supervised the Imperial factory at Ching–tê Chên from 1728–1749. The statement that Tang's factory imitated them is no doubt based on the oft–quoted list given in the Chiang hsi t´ung chih of wares made at the Imperial factory about 1730, which include "glazes of Ou. Imitations of the old ware of the potter named Ou, including two kinds, that with red and that with blue markings."
[406] In the list quoted in the last note. The words are
, Yi hsing kua yu. The word kua, which means "suspended, applied," is probably inserted because the Yi–hsing ware was usually unglazed.
[407] A similar effect is produced by zinc and tin on modern English wares. See note on p. 168. It has been suggested that these minerals were used on the Kuangtung stonewares, and appearances, at any rate, point to their presence in the Yi–hsing flambé glazes as well.
[408] Dr. Laufer collected a considerable series of wares made in certain modern factories which he visited in China, and they may be seen in the Field Museum, Chicago, and in the Natural History Museum in New York.
[409] S. Wells Williams, Chinese Commercial Guide, 1863, p. 132.