Page:Brinkley - China - Volume 1.djvu/325

and its use implies that in the eyes of Chinese connoisseurs the presence of green constitutes a distinguishing feature of the glaze, though Western collectors generally class it with red monochromes. In America this beautiful porcelain has received the name of "Peach bloom," a happy appellation, for the most prized specimens may be best compared to the colour of a peach's rind before the contrast of velvet green and glowing but delicate red has been impaired by the yellow of ripeness. It does not appear, however, that in choosing the term "peach bloom" American connoisseurs gave any thought to the presence of green in the glaze. They were inspired solely by the resemblance between the surface red and the rich bloom of a peach, and in descriptive catalogues choice specimens are extolled entirely for the tone and uniformity of their monochromatic red as though the intrusion of any other colour would be a blemish. The Chinese expert, on the contrary, regards the presence of green as essential, and places first among all coloured glazes of Ching-tê-chên specimens of Pin-kwo-ts'ing on which the delicate glowing red is broken by broad fields of tender velvety green. No distinct varieties of the ware are recognised in China, but for purposes of descriptive convenience three principal types may be noted: first, a pure red monochrome; secondly, red mottled with white; and thirdly, red in combination with green. The first type is the celebrated "Peach bloom" of American collectors. There are various tones of this red, from the full, warm blush of a ripe apple to a very light flesh colour. All are beautiful and highly valued. The second type is the so-called "crushed strawberry." Its white dappling or cloud-