Page 304 - Oriental Series Japan and China, Brinkly

CHINA

with large figures that stand nearly as high as the vase. . . .

These figures, boldly designed, nearly always evince verita-
ble talent on the part of the decorator. In order not to
distract the eye from the principal subject painted by him
with the finest blues of his palette, cleverly graded, he has

refrained from ornamenting the shoulder or the lower part
of the vase, and has left the space about the figures open.

The only fault of this particular type is that it is not suffi-

ciently rare. Collectors are therefore content to possess one

or two specimens of it, leaving the others in the stores of
bric-a-brac dealers where they accumulate, vainly awaiting
purchasers. These are the vases, or at least some of them,
that we are surprised to see reappear clothed with new deco-

ration. The neck is now adorned with a triple border in
brightly coloured enamels. The shoulder is occupied by a

large zone of iron red or green with reserved designs, and
above the figures runs a border of scallops or false gadroons
in yellow, blue, or green enamel, such as we see on fine
specimens of the Famille Verte. Finally, the long robes and
accessories of the figures are no longer simply blue, but
show a more or less happy addition of gold.

The question has been raised whether these vases should

be regarded as a really ancient variety, rare specimens of

which, jealously preserved up to the present by Chinese
amateurs, had suddenly made a triumphant and unexpected
appearance among us. Ought we not rather to recognise
the cylindrical vases spoken of above, the low price of
which added to the possibility of exposing them to the
temperature of the enameller's furnace, indicated them as

fit subjects for the crafty skill of our secondary decorators.

The latter doubtless transformed some of them, but there

can be little question that others were transformed in China,
in obedience to orders and directions sent from Europe. So

far as we are concerned, we believe that we have seen both

kinds, though we are sure that we have never met with any

really ancient.

Imitators, knowing well that no decoration over the
glaze, however fine, ranks with decoration de grand feu in
the eyes of amateurs, have not failed to turn their attention

to paintings on the biscuit (under the glaze). In respect of

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