1 MARCH 1919, Page 20

Catalogue of the Le Blond Collection of Corean Pottery. By

Bernard Beckham. (Victoria and Albert Museum. 3s. 6d.)— Since the Japanese occupation of Corea, it has been possible to examine the ancient cemeteries of the country and to unearth the pottery which, until the end of the fourteenth century, was placed in the tombs. Western collectors have thus for the first time been able to obtain examples of old Corean pottery, formerly very scarce indeed, and to form an accurate idea of the Coteau potter's art. The best collection as yet existing in Europe has just been given to the Victoria and Albert Museum by Mr. Aubrey Le Blond. Mr. Raekham has described it fully in this excellent catalogue, which is well illustrated. Most of the pieces, apart from a few early bowls of white porcelain, are of the celadon type. The coloured photograph of a grey-green vase decorated in " mishima," or inlay, with a goose and two lotus- flowers will suggest to the discerning why many lovers of pottery covet Corean celadon and prefer its subtle simplicity to the elaborate art of late Chinese porcelain,