In some cases the origin of a particular glaze has been recorded, and within certain limits the style of the piece will guide us in assessing its age; but how often must we be content with some such non-committal phrase as “early eighteenth century,” which embraces the late K’ang Hsi, the Yung Chêng and the early Ch’ien Lung periods? On the other hand, the careful student observes certain points of style and finish, certain slight peculiarities of form which are distinctive of the different periods, and on these indefinite signs he is able to classify the doubtful specimens. To the inexpert his methods may seem arbitrary and mysterious, but his principles, though not easy to enunciate, are sound nevertheless. [Illustration: Plate 109.--Figure of Shou Lao, Taoist God of Longevity. Porcelain painted with _famille verte_ enamels. K’ang Hsi period (1662–1722). Height 17¼ inches. _Salting Collection_ (_V. & A. Museum_).] We have already had occasion to discuss a few of the K’ang Hsi monochromes in dealing with the question of _lang yao_. But besides the _sang de bœuf_ there is another rare and costly red to which the Americans have given the expressive name of “peach bloom.” Since their first acquaintance with this colour in the last half of the nineteenth century,[323] American collectors have been enamoured of it, and as they have never hesitated to pay vast sums for good specimens, most of the fine “peach blooms” have found their way to the United States, and choice examples are rare in England. “The prevailing shade,” to quote from Bushell’s description, “is a pale red, becoming pink in some parts, in others mottled with russet spots, displayed upon a background of light green celadon tint. The last colour occasionally comes out more prominently, and deepens into clouds of bright apple green tint.” The Chinese, in comparing the colour, have thought of the apple rather than the peach; it is _p’in-kuo hung_ (apple red), and the markings on it are _p’in-kuo ch’ing_ (apple green), and _mei kuei tzŭ_ (rose crimson). Another Chinese name for the colour is _chiang-tou hung_ (bean red), in allusion to the small Chinese kidney-bean with its variegated pink colour and brown spots.