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Kangxi - Yongzheng - Qianlong: Qing Porcelain from the Palace Museum Collection

Li Yi-hua (editor); Ye Pei-Lan (introduction)

"Conclusively speaking, the production of porcelain ware in the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong periods had reached its apogee in Chinese ceramic history. The emperors' keen interest in fine porcelain ware and their specific demands for colour enamels and glazes, type- forms and decorative motifs stimulated ceramic production. Huge manpower was put in the production of porcelain ware and the court even appointed officials to supervise the imperial kilns. Zhuang Yingxuan, Lang Tingji, Liu Yuan of the Kangxi period, Nian Xiyao of the Yongzheng period and Tang Ying of the Qianlong period were all capable supervisors of the imperial kilns. Among them, Tang Ying not only administered the imperial kilns efficiently, he also studied production techniques himself and excelled in calligraphy and composition of poems. Tang also designed the forms of porcelain ware and he was esteemed as an expert in the production of porcelain ware. Valuable treasures such as brush- pots and water-pots designed by Tang Ying are represented in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing. On the other hand, Tang Ying also compiled a number of books on ceramic industry, such as Taoren Xinyu (Words of the Potters), Taocheng Jishi (Records of Cera- mic Industry), Taoye Taoshuo (Illustrated Book on Ceramic Industry), which provide important information on the production of porcelain ware in the Qing Dynasty. On the whole, porcelain ware of the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong periods are noted for its refined paste, exquisite glazes, versatile typeforms and pictorial designs that possess distinctive period styles. These wares are not only highly credited in China, but are also exported to Europe, which produced its impact on the world." excerpt from the introductory text by Ye, Pei-Lan.

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