Page 352 - Chinese Porcelain Vol II, Galland

402 KEEN-LUNG.

We have another instance of the continuation of this fine
of work in No. 694. A bowl. Diameter,
Yung-ching style
"
:
6 inches ; height, 2| inches. Mark, Skun-tih tang chi. Made
"
at the Cultivation of Virtue Hall." This mark is on specimens
of different kinds and very varied quality. The name is derived
*
from the classics : The Great Learning,' chapter x. 6. It is
said to be the Hall name of the Tao-tai, or superintendent of
"
the Porcelain The
Imperial Manufactory (Franks, p. 213).
motive is the old one of two ducks and lotus flowers. All
most in delicate
delicately painted equally transparent enamels,
rose, green, and other colours.
"
The Mandarin duck and drake, and the lotus. At the
time of weddings this picture is often drawn and hung up on
the wall, or embroidered on a curtain. The ducks are an
emblem of connubial bliss and and the lotus is very
felicity,
as it is the will also be."
prolific, hoped newly-married couple
Before this
leaving charming class, thanks to Mr. Bennett's
kindness, we are able to view three examples belonging to the
far-famed, much-sought-after, and difficult-to-obtain
"Mille fours"
of decoration, of which Mr. Gr. R. Davies has been
style good
enough to send the following descriptions :
"
No. 695. A thousand-flower, quatrefoil globular vase, with
It is one of a
quatrefoil lip. pair.
"The whole surface is covered with various flowers and
in coloured enamel. On each of the
foliage every imaginable
four shoulders there is a white round on which are
panel
several most the
figures beautifully depicted, representing
spirits of the flowers. On the base, which is covered with a
pale sea-green enamel, is the square seal mark of the Emperor
Keen-lung (1736-1795) in red. The decoration of this vase
is rather in effect than on the
paler long-necked bottle, No. 697,
as there is a deal of a lemon in the decoration.
good pale yellow
It has been on a enamelled
evidently painted yellow ground,
and is not so covered as on the other
densely pieces, portions
of yellow showing through, especially towards the base."
"
No. 696. A four-sided thousand-flower
design vase, grad-
ually widening towards the shoulder, whence it recedes and