70 CHINESE IDEAS OF ANTIQUES 



connoisseurs were as follows : (1) a rouge red (red oxide of 

 iron colour). (2) The onion green. (3) a dark crimson, 

 resembling black ink. These three colours were pure, and 

 without the slightest variation. The best variations were 

 marked on the base by means of the numerals I, II, III, 

 and onward in order to distinguish them the one from 

 the other. 



The second rate wares were as follows : (1) a pig's liver 

 red, (2) the Ta li (^C *1) red (3) the green and red intermixed. 

 If these colours happened to have peculiar splotches on their 

 exterior, just as though some one had expectorated over 

 them, these peculiarities were solely owing to imperfect firing 

 in the second kiln, and should not be looked on as a new 

 variety of porcelain. The Chuen potteries also produced the 

 following peculiar specimens, (1) a white sand footed por- 

 celain, (2) a crimson, sandalwood coloured footed porcelain, 

 (3) a black, iron coloured footed porcelain. Of these three 

 the sandal wood coloured variety was the most highly prized. 

 There was a yellow sand, and coarse clay variety which 

 was reckoned to be very poor, chiefly because the ingredients 

 were coarse and the workmanship of inferior quality. 



The Yung Loh (*k £8) Porcelain. 



This porcelain was manufactured at Eao Cheo (H 'M) 

 and is of a delicate and moist constitution having a white 

 body adorned with green flowers. When compared with the 

 Ting Cheo porcelain it is of a slightly inferior quality. In the 

 hollow at the base was stamped the two characters Shu fu 

 ($i)fr), but unfortunately these wares are now difficult to 

 procure. The most expensive and highly coveted articles 

 belonging to this class of wares was the Ya Sheo (P? ^) cups 

 and saucers. These cups were of a delicate constitution,, 

 with a wide mouth and bulging sides. The glaze was smooth 

 and soft, and the base of a sandy like appearance. On the 

 bottom was painted a lion playing with a woollen ball, while 

 on the ball was inscribed in small circular characters, about 

 the size of grains of unboiled rice, " Manufactured in the Ming 

 Dynasty during the reign of the Emperor Yuin Loh." There 

 were some variations in the patterns of these cups. Some 

 had a picture of the mandarin duck painted on the ball, 

 others had flowers instead of the character, but all were 

 reckoned inferior to the character inscriptions. The interior 

 of the cups were adorned with deep green coloured flowers. 

 The pattern was beautiful and almost defied criticism. 

 The wares were both durable, and usable, but now their 

 price is almost prohibitive. 



