Note 188 — Chapter XVII · THE SOFT-PASTE PORCELAIN OF FRANCE SAINT-CLOUD—LILLE—CHANTILLY—MENNECY—PARIS—VINCENNES—SÈVRES.

M. Bertin was himself a great collector of Chinese porcelain. In the avertissement of the catalogue of his collection which was sold in Paris in 1815, we are told that through the medium of the Père Amiot he obtained many choice specimens, some of them direct presents from the Chinese emperor. We have already alluded to Kien-lung’s interest in exotic wares, and to the influence of these upon the native decoration.