Identification of Ming and Qing Porcelain Patterns. Volume on Flower and Bird Motifs

Author: Tie Yuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Bird-and-flower, grass-and-insect patterns are a major category of traditional decorative motifs on Ming and Qing dynasty porcelain, with rich themes and broad content. Especially the mandarin ducks symbolizing loyal and unchanging love, as well as delicately depicted peacocks and grasshoppers, have been enduring subjects in Ming and Qing porcelain. Their painting styles are diverse: official kilns are renowned for their meticulous and rigorous craftsmanship, while folk kilns are celebrated for their freehand and unrestrained brushwork, with distinct characteristics of the era and kiln origins. This book collects nearly five hundred pieces of Ming and Qing dynasty porcelain adorned with bird-and-flower, grass-and-insect motifs, categorized into twenty chapters based on the depicted subjects: Mandarin Duck Patterns, Crane Patterns, Magpie Patterns, Peacock Patterns, Pheasant Patterns, Goose Patterns, Quail Patterns, Eagle Patterns, Egret Patterns, Kingfisher Patterns, Belt-Bird Patterns, Swallow Patterns, Parrot Patterns, Oriole Patterns, White-Crowned Nightingale Patterns, Other Bird-and-Flower Patterns, Chicken Patterns, Butterfly Patterns, Grasshopper Patterns.
The book provides in-depth yet accessible discussions on the composition, painting techniques, and colors of the motifs, along with dating and identification of each piece. The discussions not only compare different motifs from the same era but also contrast motifs across different dynasties, as well as highlight similarities and differences between official and folk kilns. The book also offers detailed critiques of forgeries designed to deceive. At the end of each chapter, enlarged images of relevant pieces are included to assist readers in identifying subtle differences, providing strong evidence for dating and authenticating porcelain based on decorative motifs.