Page 351 - Chinese Porcelain Vol II, Galland

FINE ROSE. 401

whole The flowers of the
up. aster-spray are in straw-colour,
with one in The other small flowers are in and
pink. purple
blue, with green centres.
No. 693. Dish of fine white with reticulated
very porcelain,
sides. Diameter, 10 inches. Height, 2 inches. No mark.
The reticulated is covered with a cream-coloured
part glaze
inside and outside, and in brown to the
painted represent
bamboo At the there is a
spotted (see page 187). edge gilt
band meeting the bamboo-work, back and front ; while inside
at foot it is finished off by one of the fleur-de-lis shaped gilt
bands that we find so often on made for The
plates Europe.
central decoration consists of three flowers, four butterflies, and
a small 27 this fruit in the and
spray of litchi, showing green ripe
state. The flowers may look pretty much alike ; but the
foliage shows them to be different, probably pseony, chrysan-
themum, and rose. The former is in shades of mauve pink,
the next white and pink, and the latter in various shades of
rose, the foliage being in a blue green brightened with gilt.
Delicate as the flowers are in colouring and workmanship, they
are eclipsed by the butterflies, which, in the beauty of their soft
are admirable of the
variegated colouring, really specimens
Chinese artist's skill in a line particularly his own, and in which
we naturally expect him to excel. The enamels in which
the flowers are painted seem to be ribbed, and appear to catch
and reflect the light better than when put on in washes ; the
ribbing may have been done after the enamel was put on, but
before it was quite dry. However, the fact is worth noting, as
it is a style of painting we found on some of the Yung-ching
and about this is often met with. This
pieces, period ribbing
generally appears in a dark shade over a light.
The fine white of which this dish is made, the
porcelain
careful finish inside and outside, combined with the delicacy
of the decoration, are all of the
worthy Yung-ching period,
and seem to warrant the Chinese habit of classing these wares
under that name. The outside below the bamboo-
porcelain
work down to the stand is of which is not
wavy appearance,
uncommon in of this The reticulated work is
pieces period.
intended to a row of bamboos, the
probably represent joints
coming above and below alternately.
27 T. J. L.
The NepheUum Litchi, written also lichi, and lychee.