" ... Looks at the whole history of chinese pottery from the point of view of the techniques used by potters and so traces how their craft evolved from the earliest unglazed earthenware pots to highly sophisticated porcelain. she describes the glazes, kilns, clays and working methods of the Chinese potters and makes it clear how certain types of ware could only be produced as the result og particular technological developments. Much of this material is new and the authos has made full use of all the recent archaeological reports that have emerged from China. Her clear technical descriptions are easy to follow and anyone with a practical interest in making pots will learn much from them. The specialist will gain a far better understanding of the history of his subject ..."--Back cover.

This book explains and illustrates as many varieties of Ming ceramics as possible. The text is based primarily on information obtained from Chinese sources and the occasional notes made by Europeans who visited China in Ming times. To these, Mr. Hobson has added his own penetrating deductions, made after careful study of well-authenticated specimens and of observation by earlier scholars. His presentation is not only clear and precise but also incontestably authoritative and at the same time highly readable. The first twelve chapters of the book deal almost exclusively with the porcelain produced at Ching-te Chen; the next four, with the porcelain and pottery made at other centers. The bulk of the 129 pieces illustrated (12 in color) are drawn from private collections, but references is also made to important examples in museums. Of particular interest are Mr. Hobson's comments on collecting and on the identification of genuine Ming wares. A special chapter on marks, inscriptions, and Chinese characters is included, together with a selected bibliography.

Information on "origins and development of the Chinese written language" precedes the extensive catalog of marks, including marks in regular kaishu script, marks in zhuanshu seal scripts, symbols used as marks, directory of marks, and list of potters.