Page 44 - Chinese Porcelain Vol II, Galland

MING.
284

Five-coloured or Early Famille Verte, with Blue under
the Glaze.
No. 493 belongs to Mr. Henry Willett, of Brighton. A
rectangular vase. Height, 13 inches. Base unglazed and
slightly recessed. Mark on flange at top, "Wan-leih." The
white glaze lines the inside. This vase is divided into four,
the stand being covered with a pattern in red and blue.
The lower part of the body is decorated with dragons in red
and blue, the upper with dragons in red and green ; the
lions' heads on two sides are in red, and on the other two
in green enamel. The leaf pattern on the neck is in red,
green, blue, and white veined with red. On the flange there
is a scroll pattern, in red and blue. It will be noticed that
instead of clouds, waves, or nebulae of fire, the dragons are
themselves in the midst of ; but this seems
disporting foliage
not unusual in these early pieces. This is the first specimen
we have met with where the enamels are painted on the glaze,
and, judging from the number of similar pieces that exist, this
ware must have been turned out in great quantity during the
reign now under review. It is a coarse piece, but does not
lend itself to so shows to greater disadvantage
photography,
in the illustration than should be.
Nos. 494, 495. A sweetmeat box. Glazed base. Diameter,
"
8^ inches ; height, 4 inches. Mark, Wan-leih," in two blue
In No. 494 we have the which it will be noticed
rings. top,
is In No. 495 we see the base. Inside, this lower
perforated.
half is divided into so as to keep the various
compartments,
compotes separate. The sides, top, and bottom, it will be noted,
are decorated with five-claw in foliage. Although still
dragons
crude, the cover shows a considerable advance in the art of
decoration, the symbols and flowers being pleasingly blended.
In the centre we have what is known as the double aster, but
intended for the lotus flower, with a swastika at
probably
each of the four corners of the square ; beyond these we have
four shells, with lotus and other flowers between. The colours
employed are red, green, yellow, and blue, the latter being
under the for it is not until the next dynasty that this
glaze,
colour is to be met with as an enamel over the glaze. The