The Ch'ien Lung period which followed extended from 1736 to 1796, and included many candlesticks and altar pieces as well as braziers, some of the copper vessels being practically encrusted with enamels, some of the finer ornamentation being attached to the ground-work as additional or supplementary decorative effects. As in the earlier periods much labour was expended on the production of the many fine temple sets which were presented to such uses. The exceptionally fine altar set wrought in cloisonné enamels, illustrated in Fig. 90, is of the Ch'ien Lung period, and consists of a beautifully designed koro, supported on legs in the form of tigers' heads, two candlesticks 18 in. high, and a pair of vases. The style of decoration is very rich, being turquoise blue ground on which are floral designs in red, green, dark blue, yellow, and other bright colours. The pieces stand on brass-gilt foundations, which rest on carved wooden stands, the set forming an extremely interesting group, typical of the highest art of the Ch'ien Lung period. There are many richly ornamented and extremely valuable specimens of more recent date admired by connoisseurs of art in the galleries and curio-shops; but however beautiful they are the collector of the older curios appraises their values from a modern commercial standpoint, and does not view them as he would antiques. British Enamels. It was not until the art of enamelling had been perfected at Lillè and other places on the Continent of Europe, that an attempt was made to produce similar trinkets and a few more important pieces, such as candlesticks and inkstands, in this country. The works established at Battersea by Mr. S. T. Janssen about the middle of the eighteenth century soon gained notoriety, and it was not long before the enamels made there were eagerly sought after. In addition to those articles mentioned, they consisted chiefly of tea-canisters, snuff-boxes, spirit labels, and patchboxes, the copper being coated over with an opaque white enamel, which was coloured over and then decorated with floral and other designs. Rose tint afterwards became one of the favourite ground colours at Battersea. Among the rarer examples may be classed inkstands and writing-table appointments. The inkstands usually include an ink-container, a pen-box, and a sand or pounce pot, for Battersea enamel inkstands were made before blotting-paper was invented, and the wet ink, chiefly applied with a quill pen, was dusted over with pounce to prevent blotting, and when dry the surplus was dusted off. The collector finds much to interest in the little patchboxes of enamel, of which there were many varieties. They remained useful when the fashion of wearing patches declined, for then they came in handy for cosmetics, salves, and pomades. These curious little boxes were frequently given by admirers and friends, as may be imagined from the mottoes and sentimental inscriptions upon them. Among the commoner varieties