Denise Patry Leidy

Absolutely one of the most useful books I have ever read on 9-18C Chinese Ceramics. Issued as a catalogue in 1989 to accompany an exhibition tour of outstanding pieces from the world-famous Sir David Percival Foundation of Chinese Art Collection held at four American museums 1989-1990.

Each of the 56 beautiful colour plates is accompanied by a superb text written by ceramics doyen Rosemary Scott, former curator of the collection. She describes each piece in detail from the clay and glaze show more structures to the designs to the piece's historical context; in so doing, she presents amazingly insightful and clear snapshots of the most important Chinese ceramics from 9C Yue ware to Qing Dynasty overglaze enamel ware.

But the hidden gems of this beautiful book printed on very high-quality glossy paper, are the additional essays starting with Lady David Percival's essay on her husband and his collection, which explains his interest in ceramics, how he acquired his collection, and the depth and knowledge he first acquired then shared with the world when he gifted his collection to the public. Once housed in a lovely building 53 Gordon Square, London, today it is housed in the British Museum.

Additional essays on recent archaeological contributions to the study of Chinese ceramics (that includes sections on Ding ware and other related white wares, and another on the origin of underglaze blue); the significance of Chinese ceramics around the world, an essay on the influences on the painting styles of Qing overglaze enamel wares, and a final article on ceramics in Chinese painting complete the wealth of ceramic knowledge that this slim volume contains.

This volume is one of the most helpful addition to my ceramics library and one I shall always treasure. The photographs, the scholarship, the editing and helpful glossaries, map and bibliography are all superb.

Out-of-print and hard to find, but worth the search for anyone with a serious interest in Chinese ceramics. show less