M. FORD CREECH ANTIQUES & FINE  ARTS

www.mfordcreech.com

"FAMILLE VERTE" - THE GREEN STUFF

"Famille Verte" refers to a green-based palette of translucent enamels introduced during the Kangxi period in China, c1680. 

Developed from the earlier Ming "Wucai" glaze (basically red, yellow and green),

this palette includes overglaze green, with iron red, yellow, blue, black, and sometimes heightened with gilt. 

The best of "Famille Verte" wares were produced from 1680-1725 at the kilns in Jingdezhen and Canton.

 "Famille Verte" porcelains are rarer than other Kangxi porcelains, and colorfully depict flowers, insects, mythical animals and scenes.

About 1720, Jesuits working in Beijing developed from chloride of gold another overglaze enamel which,

when fired at very specific temperatures, turned pink - now known as "Famille Rose" - the pink stuff. 

 "Famille Rose" dominated the remainder of the 18th and 19th centuries, to the present day. 

"Famille Verte" porcelains never include the "rose" family - those even with the slightest amount are still called "Famille Rose". 

The current "famille" names were applied in France in the 19th century.  

We are pleased to present these three delightful dishes - the pair whose birds appear in a spring courtship dance. 

Please do click the two images above to access their full listings.

When photographing and mounting them, this song began incessantly running through my mind (you know how that goes...)

 "Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees,

And the flowers and the trees,

And the moon up above,

 And a thing called "Love"...

Perhaps if you sing along, Mother Nature will remember that "green" is among the better things she used to do!

In 1965, crooner Jewel Akens was singing with an ensemble called the Turnarounds, when Era Records producer

Herb Newman brought them "The Birds and the Bees", written by this teenage son. 

The rest of the group disliked the song, but Akens decided to record it solo.

It became in instant hit, quickly rising to #3 on the Billboard pop chart. 

It has since been recorded by many admirers, including Dean Martin, Fats Domino and Buddy Holly.

Please email or call if you have any questions.

Millicent Ford Creech

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"Famille Verte" - The Green Stuff