A beloved children's story from Afghanistan now available in the West for thefirst time. Full color.

'The products of the Imperial and other kilns have created one of the gentlest and most beautiful of the arts. The technical inventiveness of Chinese potters - they had discovered methods of glazing pottery by the third century BC - made possible the manufacture of wonderfully delicate materials and colours. Their versatility as artists enabled them to design new shapes, and decorate them with incised or applied motifs which have been imitated throughout the world. Anthony du Boulay traces the development of Chinese porcelain from its beginnings to the early 20th century. His scholarly survey of this wonderful artistic tradition' --from inside cover.

Chinese blue and white porcelain was a unique contribution to the history of ceramic technology, and from its development at the beginning of the 14th century, through its technical originality and artistic brilliance, it has continued to captivate and inspire the whole world.

Beginning in the mid-thirteenth century, the kilns of Dehua, capital of the Fujian Province in southeast China, began producing brilliant white porcelain pieces, the likes of which had never been seen before. Today, blanc de Chine pieces are some of the most sought-after collectibles in the world of Chinese art, their aesthetic appeal lying in their stark shapes and color, and their impossibly delicate, glasslike glaze. "Blanc De Chine" weaves together the most engaging, authoritative story of this precious art ever told. For the connoisseur, author Robert Blumenfield presents dazzling photographs and important research findings from around the world. For the novice collector, he details the differences between true blanc de Chine and other, less distinguished white wares. For the Asian art enthusiast, he provides a rich historical account of the evolution of the form, and the character and technical mastery that distinguish its finest pieces. A major contribution to the field, "Blanc De Chine" will be treasured by all who appreciate the breathtaking beauty and fascinating tradition of this exquisite art.