The Ceramic Art of China and Other Countries of the Far East

Faber and Faber Limited, London, 1954 Book. Good. Hardcover. 4th Edition. English text; Hardcover (with dust jacket); 20.5 x 26 cm; 1.365 Kg; 238 pages plus appendix with 192 plates from China, Indo-China, Corea and Japan (monochrome reproductions and 3 plates in colour). Fourth impression.; Ex-library with signs of wear. Library stamp on the rear of the front cover. Tears and wear marks on the dust jacket, that is now protected with a clearcover. The interior is in good condition, with minor signs of wear.; This finely illustrated book is the first full general survey of the whole field of Chinese ceramics since R.L. Hobson's two-volume work published in 1915. It is primarily concerned with the art of the potter, and historical and archaeological matters are touched upon only so far as they concern the special interests of the connoisseur. The Chinese have always shown a particular regard for pottery, and this book is an anthology of some of their most beautiful productions, explaining their historical sequence and the varying ideals shown in this characteristic branch of Chinese art. It covers, moreover, the important related wares of Corea, Japan and Indo-China, reviewing their special artistic achievements in a broad way hardly attempted before. It is a general account, written in a lucid style and intelligible to the ordinary reader, but it also includes a discussion of controversial questions, such as the origin of glazed stoneware and porcelain, and the identification of the classical Sung and early Ming wares, with references to all the existing and most recent literature. Chapters on marks, forgeries, shapes, and the subjects of the decoration are added in appendices. "An authoritative work that will find a place in all ceramic libraries for many years to come, and an exhilarating one for collectors as well as an inspiration for all directly concerned with pottery making. The book is a work of art that will be appreciated by all creative artists." excerpt from the review by Studio..