CHINESE IDEAS OF ANTIQUES 75' 



partially covered with a blue or greenish corrosion. This 

 earth rust is caused by the porcelain having been deposited 

 in close proximity to some copper wares, which have cor- 

 roded and stained them. Porcelain such as plates and 

 vases dating from the Ting (&) period have been excavated 

 and have been found sometimes to be wholly, and at 

 others only partially, covered with this green corrosion. A 

 pair of red and green coloured wine cups which belong to 

 the Kwan (If) pottery have also been excavated. The dual 

 colouring found on some wares is due to their proximity to 

 various other metals during the time of their interment in 

 the earth. 



Korean Porcelain (iU M S). 



The specimens of Korean porcelain which have reached 

 these parts are of fairly good quality and consist of such 

 articles as saucers, vases, etc. The wares are thin and 

 brittle and of a moonlight white colour. When compared 

 with the Rao Cheo porcelain, they show a decided inferiority. 



Arabian Porcelain (^C^S). 



Arabian porcelain has a copper frame and is burned 

 with the aid of chemicals. The colours which have come 

 under notice are those with a sky blue exterior, with a light 

 red interior. Over the sky blue exterior is painted flowers 

 and butterflies in terra-cotta and gold splash work. The 

 hand painting is of a very high order. The rims and feet are 

 of terra-cotta, but unfortunately this is easily chipped off, 

 and the wares thus easily become disfigured. As to the five 

 coloured porcelain which is believed to be of Arabian origin, 

 it is in reality not Arabian but European porcelain. 



The Refiring of Porcelain (fir 1M $£). 



Should the ancient porcelain of the Kwan (If) or Ko (If)- 

 periods happen to be damaged by the loss of a foot or an 

 ear, or otherwise chipped, other old porcelain may be used to% 

 repair the defects. 



After repairs are completed a fresh coat of chemical 

 glaze is applied to the whole. After glazing the vessel is 

 rolled in a layer of thick heavy clay and put into the kiln 

 along with other articles and fired a second time, after which 

 it has the appearance of being a genuine old article, except 

 that the patched places have a dull appearance and the 

 whole vessel becomes dry and brittle. Such offer no special 

 attractions to the casual purchaser. Any person who may 



