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Blanc de Chine: The Porcelain of Têhua in Fukien

Donnelly, P.J.

REFERENCE BOOK ON BLANC DE CHINE

Blanc de chine, the white porcelain of Têhua in fukien, has waited long for its chronicler. This most beautiful of porcelains, satisfying entirely by form and glaze, so elusive to date, enjoys wide appeal. But collectors and others interested have up to now had to rest content with a page or so of general praise and description in the standard works on Chinese ceramics, for there has been no complete book on this subject. This deficiency is now made good. The author, with the advantage of an unrivalled collection of the ware itself, has devoted years of research into sources, Chinese and Western, the fruits of which are now available. The evidence for dating-textual, from marks and inscriptions and, above all, from recorded acquisitions - is given in detail. More than 500 pieces are illustrated, indicative of the unparalleled variety of form which blanc de Chine can assume. Marks hitherto thought undecipherable are studied, and nearly a hundred reproduced in facsimile. Potters and potter families have been discovered, and their work is discussed. There is a chapter also on the coloured ware of these kilns, including the little-know blue and white. Some original Chinese sources are appended, together with an account of recent archaeological investigation of the kiln sites and an abstract of the original inventory of Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony, now at Dresden, contained innumerable pieces of blanc de Chine.

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