Page 189 - Chinese Porcelain Vol II, Galland

FAMILLE VERTE. 345

two rocks and flowers, a beetle in one case and a in
butterfly
the other ; two a landscape, one with a deer, the other with
a hare. The blue enamel in this band is much and
lighter
brighter than is usual in this class. Next to the band comes
one red circle, after which the extends to the
plain porcelain
bottom, where, enclosed in two red circles, we have two red and
themselves in
gilt carp disporting green waves, with very light
aubergine surfaces and foam. The landing-stage, with its red
"
piles topped with blue dogs, is none other than the dragons'
as the two Chinese characters
gate," proclaimed by gilt (see
pp. 163, 195).
Famine Verte with Blue under the Glaze,
No. 589. A famille verte plate, with blue under the glaze.
Diameter, 2 If inches ; height, 2f inches. No mark. As
usual where blue under the glaze is employed, the decoration
is marked off three in the same as in blue and
by rings, way
white. For the rest the is in black, or in the colour
drawing
to be on that of the surface.
employed part The wide rim of
this where not covered is coated with
plate, by foliage, green
speckled work, on which, as it were, are thrown chrysanthemums
and lotus flowers, six in shaded red, one in blue, two in salmon
colour and blue, while the asters and lotus buds between are
in a and of various shades, some
green-yellow aubergine quite
used
black, relieved here and there with blue or red, gilt being
the whole a most beautiful
throughout pretty freely, forming
floral tangle. The centre is occupied by a four-claw dragon
standing on one foot, holding between its two front claws one
of the many longevity characters in gilt. The body of the
dragon is traced in black, and covered with green glaze,
through which the black shows. The spikes on the back are
in aubergine, as also the mane and claws, the belly in red, the
head in a green-yellow with aubergine shading, gilt eyes with
black centres ; the nebulae round are in green-yellow and red.
In this plate we have the famille verte at its best, and it would
be difficult to find a more beautiful specimen of this special
class, for which the reign now under review was so justly
celebrated. Some readers may be inclined to regret that the
dragon has not five claws ; but it was probably made to the
order of a of the third or fourth rank, who, rich, with a
prince