LING LUNG WARE

Pinyin Ling Long, Chinese porcelain made in the late Ming dynasty (reign of Wan-li, 15721620) and characterized by pierced ornamentation. Ling lung ware is generally limited to small objects such as cups, brushpots, and covered jars. The decoration is sometimes biscuit (unglazed porcelain), either left white or enhanced with touches of gilding or coloured glazes. Much ling lung ware was made for the export trade by the Ching-te-chen kilns (in Kiangsi), whose potters protested against the imperial order to make this kuei kung (devil's work), as ling lung was also called in China. The term is thought to refer to the devilish skill needed to produce such porcelain openwork, but it is possible that it refers to the foreign markets for which it was destined. Although ling lung was also made during the reign of the Ch'ing emperor K'ang-hsi (16611722) and for the rest of the 18th century, the best wares are of late Ming vintage.