Page 74 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

42 CHINESE PORCELAIN.
No. 31. Hollow 239 " A
lozenge. Franks, p. : lozenge-
an
shaped object, apparently open frame, as the fillets show
through it. Two lozenges, with the ends overlapping, are
"
used to represent the dual symbol (fang shang) (see No.
79).
The Chinese say this is a very ancient musical instrument.
No. 32. Sonorous stone. Franks, p. 239 : " This is, no
doubt, what is described by Williams as a sonorous stone, or
bronze used instead of a bell in China, and termed
plate, King.
He states that figures of this instrument are seen carved on
the ends of rafters, etc., as an emblem of the different character
with the same sound, which signifies ' goodness,' ' happiness,'
"
or 'luck/
No. 33. Khinoceros' horns. Franks, p. 239 : " A pair of
carved objects, intended to represent rhinoceros' horns (se
keo)."
"
Davis, vol. i. p. 302 : On some occasions of peculiar cere-
mony, the feast is closed by a great cup scooped from the horn
of the rhinoceros, which animal is said to exist in the forests
of Yunnan and Kuang-sy. We find in the works of Arabian
writers that the same substance has often been used for the
of Asiatic to sweat
drinking-cups potentates, being supposed
on the approach of poison, and therefore to be a safeguard
against it. When the Mongols conquered the empire, they
introduced its use into China."
probably
The Chinese these are arrow cases, but do not seem
say
able to explain why they are used as symbols. If arrow cases,
they are certainly in the form of rhinoceros' horns. A pair is
always an emblem of happiness.
No. 34. Coin. Franks, p. 239 : "This object is probably a
coin, a symbol of riches."
"
Middle Kingdom," vol. i. p. 83, "Nanking Pagoda" : "In
the top were suspended a number of pearls, books, money, and
of silk, to ward off evil influences."
pieces
Davis, vol. ii. p. 132 : " Charms, talismans, and felicitous
appendages. Among the principal are money-swords, as they
of a number of ancient
are called, consisting copper coins, each
with a hole in the middle, fastened over a
square together
of iron like a sword with a cross-hilt. These are
piece shaped
suspended at the heads of sleeping-couches and beds, that the