Page 231 - Chinese Porcelain Vol II, Galland

GREEN UPON BLUE. 359

These reds were the result of chance transmuta-
originally
tion in the furnace, but, by this time, the Chinese understood
the mixing of the pigments and the regulating of the furnace,
so as to be able to leave but little to chance. This matter,
"
however, has been treated under the heading Peach Bloom."
Red and Blue under the Glaze.
No. 617. Deep dish, decorated in blue and red under the
glaze. Diameter, 14 inches; height, 3 inches. No mark.
This dish, like No. 312, has a fluted stand, which used to be
considered a sign of Ming origin, but this dish has a brown
edge, and, beyond all doubt, a large number of these fluted
stands were turned out during this reign. The sides are
decorated with fish, crabs, prawns, shell-fish, and other such-
like articles of food, on which the Chinese place a high value.
Just above the the reader will notice some leaf-like
carp,
next to a
objects prawn ; these, no doubt, are intended for
beche-de-mer, or sea- slug, which is considered a great delicacy ;
it is found in the waters of the Indian
tropical Archipelago
and Pacific, and, after having been dried, is imported into
China. In the centre the decoration consists of a red in
carp
the act of jumping a cataract, and so winning dragonhood (see
p. 163) ; the river is blue, but on it are prunus blossoms, in
red (see p. 155), showing that it is spring time, when the fish
ascend the river. It is a curious
naturally thing that, although
the Chinese legend refers to the sturgeon of the Yellow River,
still, in ceramic art, the fish seems always to be represented
as a At a red sun rises above the river mist.
carp. top,
The lesson intended to be taught by this dish is probably
and as shown in the will
that industry perseverance, carp,
bring wealth as portrayed in the border (see p. 91).
The base is glazed, and outside the dish is decorated the
same as in the centre with blue water, red flowers, and four
blue fish.
Green upon Blue.
This is not a usual combination, but it is to be met with as
in No. 618. A dish diameter, 14^ inches ; height, 3 inches ;
in two blue which has all the look of
mark, Kang-he rings,
being one of the Imperial factory nien-hao. The surface of
VOL. n. G 2