Set of "eight classic shapes" for pieces for the scholar's table. Since the actual number of shapes eventually were more than eight, it is likely that the name "eight" was used here as a honorific label much as wucai and sancai are referred to as "five" and "three" glazes regardless of the actual number of colors acatually used.
To my knowledge complete sets in museum collections are available in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, illustrated by S. Valenstein, A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1989 ed., p. 237, and a second in the Baur Collection, Geneva, illustrated by J. Ayers, The Peachbloom Wares of the Kangxi period (1662-1722), T.O.C.S., 1999-2000, vol. 64.
The light blue Clair-de-lune and the "powder red" peachbloom glazes are almost exclusively found on these wares.
A
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