Page 159 - Chinese Porcelain Vol II, Galland

FAMILLE VERTE. 333

are various with a deal of aubergine ; yellow and
greens, good
red is most sparingly used, and so is black. Only the caps on
four of the and a few etched strokes on the trees and
figures
rocks are of this colour, and absent. The
purple is entirely
white is and covered with a fine The general
very pure, glaze.
effect of this vase is subdued and refined, and this
peculiarly
has The enamels are
evidently been the aim of the artist.
brilliant, and all the details of the drawing most carefully
carried out. It is a fine, and at the same time interesting,
piece of the Kang-he era, and bears the six character-marks of
that on the base. Sent direct to me from China
reign by
Mr. Arbuthnot.
"
This represents Wang Wei escorting Yuen Jen, who is
on his to take the seals of office."
way up
248 Wei one of the
Mayers, p. : Wang (A.D. 699-759),
foremost among the poets of the T'ang dynasty, and celebrated
also as a scholar and artist." This motive probably refers to
"
the celebrated lines in adieu to
by Wang Wei, bidding Meng
"
Hao-jan when the latter was seeking refuge on the mountains
"
(see Chinese Literature," p. 150) :
"Dismounted, o'er wine
We had said our last say ;
'
Then I Dear friend,
whispered,
'
Tell me, whither away ?
Alas ! he replied,
' '
'
I am sick of life's ills,
And I long for repose
On slumbering hills.
But oil, seek not to pierce
Where my footsteps may stray
;
The white clouds will soothe me
"
For ever and ay.'
four club vases, taken
Nos. 569, 570, 571, 572, represent
from an old sent Mr. who
photograph kindly by Winthrop,
unfortunately seems unable to supply any particulars, but they
are admirable of what was turned out about this
specimens
period. The shortest of the four is probably over 18 inches
in
height.
With
regard to the scenes depicted on these vases, the
photograph has, unfortunately, been returned from China