Beautiful illustrations and a detailed yet concise historical text by Sotheby's director David Battie and a team of notable experts chronicle the evolution of porcelain from circa 600 A.D. to the present. Chapters focus on the decorative innovations and commercial efforts of the primary fine porcelain producers, from the Orient to Europe and America, helping the reader distinguish among hard and soft paste porcelain, wucai, encre de Chine, and Imari. The book also … mehrhighlights the Oriental influence on such European earthenware as delftware, faience, and maiolica porcelain. A particularly delightful chapter by Battie treats fakes and forgeries. Support material includes a glossary of terms and a list of key factories and important names in the development of porcelain. This invaluable guide will be appreciated by collectors of all kinds. weniger