Author: Welsh, Jorge
Title: Biscuit: Refined Chinese Famille Verte Wares
Description: London. JWB. 2012. First edition. Quarto. Pictorial hardcover. New. 240 Pages, 197 colour and 7 black and white illustrations. Famille verte biscuit wares are an exceptional group of refined Chinese porcelain, which has not been the sole subject of any academic publication until now.This exhibition catalogue presents and analyses a selection of famille verte biscuit pieces, including figurines and animals, small practical items for use within the Chinese domestic environment, as well as religious icons made for personal devotion and worship. Together, the famille verte biscuit wares open a window onto Chinese culture and society. Produced at the kilns of Jingdezhen primarily during the Kangxi reign period (1662-1722), this group is distinguished by a bright colour palette. They were made using a distinctive technique; enamels were applied directly to the high-fired surface of a piece, which is known as the ???biscuit??™. Famille verte biscuit also became increasingly fashionable for the European market at this time. While most were collected as curiosities, others were produced exclusively for this market. Thus they also reflect an aspect of the trade between East and West in this period. A complicated yet fascinating group, famille verte biscuit formed a significant part of European taste in Chinese porcelain.

Keywords: china chinese pottery porcelain ceramics kangxi famille verte enamels biscuit