Chinese Porcelain and Hard Stones
London: Bernard Quaritch, 1911. First, Limited Edition. 2 volumes, large 4to; pp. 12 3/4 x 10 1/2 (324 x 267 mm); each vol. approx. 3 inches (75 mm) thick;Vol. I: xxxviii, [2 (blank l.)], 280, [2 (blank l.)]; Vol. II: [2 (blank l.)], [16 (preliminaries)], 248, [2 (index of provenances, verso blank)], [2 (blank l.)]; 254 color-printed and monochrome plates, gilt highlighting on some, 6 folding plates, all with original tissue guards, facing text descriptions in English and French, index. Original cream-colored cloth, top boards with blocked gilt design and gilt lettering on top board and spine, t.e.g., others uncut. Rare dust-jackets present, with tears and sections missing, especially Vol. 2. Bindings tight, paper evenly toned with some staining on the endpapers and occasional small chips to some pages, not affecting text or plates.
Copy number 741 of a LIMITED EDITION of 1000.
One of the most important reference works on Chinese porcelains, this opus was written by Edgar Gorer (1872-1915), the leading British dealer in Chinese porcelain, and author J.F. Blacker (fl. 1908-1922). Sumptuously-produced and lavishly-illustrated, each plate is accompanied by bilingual texts.
The work is dedicated to His Highness Duke Tsai-Fu of China, the «sagacious collector and connoisseur of the fine arts of his country.» As stated in the preface, «the efforts of the authors have been directed to securing the reproduction of the finest specimens to be found in private collections and museums, and to classifying and faithfully describing them. To thoroughly appreciate Chinese porcelain it should be borne in mind that everything used in the decoration has its significance.» (I, p. ix). The examples catalogued were drawn from institutional holdings including those of the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, while others are from celebrated private collections, such as those formed by Henry J. Duveen, Sir William H. Lever, Bt, J. Pierpont Morgan, and P.A.B Widener.
The first volume contains chapters on:
- Black Grounds, Decorated
- Green Grounds, Decorated
- Yellow Grounds, Decorated
- Figures, Animals, and Birds
- Famille Verte
The second volume:
- Blue and White
- Powder-Blue
- Single and Flambé Glazes
- Coloured Grounds
- Aubergine and Dark Blue Grounds
- Famille Rose
- Chinese Hard Stones
Edgar Gorer (1872 – 1915) was a British art dealer, among the most successful dealers of Chinese art and antiques in his time. He died tragically during the sinking of the RMS Lusitania on May 7th 1915, during WWI.
Condition: Near fine / Very Good / Fair.
Item number: 1273
Price: $6,500.00
Share: