Page 299 - Chinese Porcelain Vol II, Galland

FAMILLE ROSE. 383

running along it in gilt, and the scales, by white edges. The
ball is in The
gilt, out of which runs a flame in coral red.
clouds are white, slightly etched with black. The waves and
clouds round the base of the vase, and from the
running up
base on to the
body, are in various shades of green, aubergine,
and purple etched with black. It is marked with the six
characters of the Yung-ching period (1723-1736) in a double
circle of blue. This is an rare of that
exceptionally specimen
epoch, and the effect of the whole decoration is exceedingly
bold."

Famille Rose.
No. 657 is another of Mr. Geo. E. Davies' pieces, of which
"
he sends the
kindly following description : Large globular
bottle, 20^ inches high by 16 inches diameter, covered with a
very delicate celadon wash or glaze. The subject is a group of
six of the Immortals supported on dragons, fish, crabs, etc., among
waves, one of whom has just shot a small figure of himself into
his own from a vase held
the air, representing spirit, yellow
in his hand. Further round the body of the bottle are the
other two Immortals supported in the waves on the back of a
and further mountain
dragon, again, on, rocky scenery, fir
tree, and other foliage. On the upper part of the body is
Si Wang Mu, a fabulous being of the female sex, and her two
attendants floating amongst clouds. On the neck are two
male of rank or
figures, evidently personages importance ; one
of them has a child in his arms, who is stretching out his
hand towards a basket of, apparently, peaches which are being
offered by Cheon-lao, the god of longevity, and there are two
other children playing by their side. There are also fir trees,
rocks, clouds, etc., on the other side of the neck. The enamels
on this vase, consisting of green, yellow, pink, blue, etc., are
extremely brilliant, and the painting most carefully carried
mt in all its details. The waves are portrayed by a deeper
celadon enamel. It was sent to me direct a
3a-green by
friend, Mr. Arbuthnot, from China, and it was pronounced by
there to be a of the class
sxperts specimen highest porcelain
and of the
enamelling Yung-ching period (1723-1736)."
No. 658 is a very good example of what are known as
3ach bottles, and generally considered to belong to this
VOL. II. I