3. K’ang Hsi period, extending from the fall of the Ming dynasty to the close of the reign of K’ang Hsi (1662-1722).
4. Yung Chêng and Chiên Lung period (1723-1795), the two reigns being conjoined.
5. Modern period, from the beginning of the reign of Chia Ch’ing to the present day.
Fig. 326.—Stoneware Vase.
With Céladon green glaze.
Ming dynasty.
The most ancient mode of decoration was the blue camaïeu, and it is still much esteemed in China; it was executed on the ware, simply dried before the glaze was applied, and then placed in the kiln. Being all completed in one baking, au grand feu, the painting thus executed became imperishable.
Fig. 327.—Stoneware Vase.
With Céladon crackle glaze.
It is on this blue ware that the greater number of the Chinese characters are found denoting the period in which the porcelain was made. The cobalt on the earlier pieces was not so fine as on those of the Siouen-te and Ching-hoa periods, which are now much sought after. It is extremely difficult to tell even the approximate date of the coloured pieces, especially as there was a conventional method of decorating them which had been practised from time immemorial; the painters worked according to given models or patterns, and monsters, deities, or flowers and landscapes, of the same uncouth and rude designs, were placed in successive ages upon the ware.
