Page 45 - Yamanaka co Auction catalog

65-LAPIS-BLUE VASE (Ch'ien-lung)
Full-bodied inverted pear-shape, with a lightly defined foot,
and gracefully proportioned neck slightly expanding at
the lip. Fine light porcelain with a clear tone, invested
with a rich and luminous glaze of purplish lapis-lazuli
hue and mirror quality, the surface showing delicate mark-
ings infinitesimally fine. The glaze continues underneath
the foot and within the neck. Has carved teakwood stand.
Height, 10 inches.

66-CELADON VASE (Ch'ien-lung)
Fashioned after an early bronze model, a favorite practice
under the Emperor Ch'ien-Iung. The body of the vase is
kettle-form, rounding in ovoid curvature to a bold circular
foot, the ancient kettle top defined by a molded ring. Above
the ring the broad and almost flat shoulder leads to rather
a full neck that finishes in a cup-lip. On the shoulder are
modeled in high relief three heads of horned sheep-in-
dicative of the imperial destination of the vase. The entire
vessel is enveloped in a pale celadon glaze of rare purity,
its sea-green hue that of the ocean lightened by myriad
air-bubbles, its surface luminous and almost caressing. Has
carved teakwood stand.
Height, 10 inches.
It is curious to note the differences in what might be called national
tastes even among art collectors. Quite different from forms which are
familiar and sought after here, this is a piece in its simple dignity so
distinctly to the taste of Nippon collectors that they vie with one an-
other, and with the Chinese, in seeking possession of such an example-
the price mattering not, or only as an after-thought (as with tradi-
tional American collectors in some lines of their favorite pursuit).
The full force of this trait and taste on the Oriental face of the planet
may best be realized by recollecting that the Eastern will exhibit a
vase or other treasure by itself-that its beauty may have free expres-
sion and influence; he does not boast of his practice, but he cannot
wholly comprehend the Western's (to him) wholesale display. For
though he himself may possess the larger number, yet will he show only
one, or a few, for in full contemplation of the one, or the few, is
his delight.