CHINESE IDEAS OF ANTIQUES 67 



this diversity of colour is that the enamel was put on while 

 the vessel was standing erect, and gradually flowed down- 

 wards toward the base of the vessel, thus leaving its upper 

 parts a lighter colour than its lower. 



Though the porcelain of the Kwan If and Ko U were 

 somewhat alike, their colours in reality were very distinct 

 •and diverse. Sometimes the monochromatic colours, and 

 pied flowers of the Kwan potteries, gave place to figures of 

 fishes, butterflies, birds, leopard spots, and scaled amphi- 

 bians in the Ko If porcelain. 



These varied figures and flowers were sometimes 

 dotted over the original colours, such as yellow, black, 

 crimson and scarlet, and when varnished they became 

 very fascinating to the eye. These peculiar ornamentations 

 and variations were wholly due to the lights and shades, 

 coupled with the atmospheric changes of the furnace, and 

 cannot be adequately explained. No fixed laws can be laid 

 down for their production. 



At a later date the Tung (H) and Wu Ni (& #S) porce- 

 lains were produced as an imitation of the wares manufactured 

 by the Kwan (IT) -potteries. These wares were, however, of a 

 decidedly coarser quality than those produced by the Kwan 

 kilns. They were made of inferior material, lacked the 

 natural moistures, while the glazing and enamelling work 

 was coarse and uneven : notwithstanding these defects they 

 are now confused with the porcelain of the Ko (U) potteries : 

 and passed as belonging to that class. 



The porcelain belonging to the Yuen (tc) dynasty period 

 is decidely poorer than that dating from the Sung (35) period : 

 and anything produced in subsequent periods, are also 

 inferior to that of the Yuen period. In a few instances, 

 however, each generation has succeeded in producing some 

 highly commendable wares, but the crimson cores, and 

 whitish green exteriors of these later dates, are certainly 

 inferior to the more ancient productions. 



The Ko (If) Potteries. 



This name is applied to the potteries managed by 

 Chang-ta-ko (#^C^), the elder brother of Chang-erh-ko 

 l#n*F), (A.D.1000). These two brothers lived at Ch'uCheo 

 (Si iW during the Sung (515) dynasty. The elder brother 

 was spoken of as Chang Sheng-i (#££—)> and the younger 

 as Chang Sheng-erh (#&—)• Each had a pottery at Long 

 Ch'uen (H &) where the younger brother's kilns produced 

 porcelain of a very high order, and of a natural green 

 colour. The porcelain was pure and unadulterated with 



