Page 337 - Chinese Porcelain Vol II, Galland

MINIATURE VERTE.
397
Tsz-ki my lost Tsz-ki !
!
True as tried gold were we.
Beyond the heavenly shore,
Thy voice I hear no more.
I sing thee my last song, my last,
The harpsichord's music is past.'
" Then
taking a small knife from his girdle, he cut the
silken in twain, and the instrument with both
strings lifting
hands, as if in sacrifice, he put forth all his strength, and
dashed it to pieces on the grave."
"
Unfortunately, none of these three pieces are marked, but
they are certainly not later than the Keen-lung era, 1736-1795,
during which period this elaborate and refined style of decora-
tion was to One or two who
brought great perfection. experts
have seen these are inclined to attribute them to the
pieces
Yung-ching era, 1723-1736. No. 682 may possibly be so, but
I incline to and believe them to be of that
Keen-lung, epoch."
We now come to three from the Bennett
charming pieces
collection :
No. 685. "Fine small ovoid white
imperial ground vase,
with high shoulder and short neck, rising to slightly bulged
rim. Height, 5^ inches.
"
The is most carried out in farnille
painting delicately
rose, and represents a scene of a palace and other buildings,
with a bridge and terraces leading to it. In the distance are
mountains with clouds across them, and
floating rocky scenery,
with trees and lakes. The of the trees show some
colourings
in flower and others with the natural tints of their leaves.
"
This vase bears on the base the seal-mark of the
square
Keen-lung era. On the shoulder it is sealed with a small
private chop, only used by the Emperor Keen-lung. It also
bears an which reads as follows * leisure hours
inscription, : My
allow me to make this picture, which represents the palace
"
among the cool mountains.'
No. 686. "A
gracefully shaped imperial white ground
ovoid vase, with to slightly
sloping shoulder and neck, rising
bulged lip. Height, 9 inches.
"
The decoration of this vase, which is in famille verte,
pale
consists of lake scenery, mountains, trees, and shrubs, amongst
rhich several are dotted about. Towards the base
pavilions