Evaluation and critical analysis of the Chinese porcelains in the Whitwell collection Tatham Art Gallery: Pietermaritzburg.

Abstract

The first chapter is a broad review of the recent history of Chinese porcelain from the Ming period to the present day. It includes remarks on the ceramics town of Jingdezhen and on aspects of materials, construction techniques, glazing and enamelling as well as a brief summary of the types of wares. The second chapter is divided into two parts. The first part introduces the formation of the Tatham Art Gallery and the Whitwell Collection. The second part focuses, firstly, on the blue and white porcelain, secondly, on the enamelled porcelain. The pieces are individually physically examined and catalogued under these headings: General description, rim, foot ring, construction, iconography and motifs, glazes, marks and date. The last chapter compares the blue and white pieces, the enamelled pieces and both pieces. This chapter suggests the qualities and special attributes of the wares such as brush marks.