Page 117 - Chinese porcelains collected by Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Taft, Cincinnati, Ohio, by John Getz
P. 117
CHINESE PORCELAINS
No. 29
Grand Plaque, of massive fine-textured porcelain, with a deep "powder-
blue" border, and also elaborate gilt tracery that includes a lotus palma-
tion, together with emblematic and gift objects, altemating with chry-
santhemum blossoms.
This border connects with the multifoiled edging, in brilliant-red arabesque motive,
and frames a pictorial subject on central panel, which is painted in transparent colors
or the "famille verte" palette, showing a procession of young people in the foreground,
bearing symbols of various kinds, viewed by a group of ladies, occupying a summer-
house on a high stone terrace, who are doubtless accompanying the singing of the chil-
dren with the music of two instruments. Other children approach from an opposite
direction, rolling a large ball v«th emblematic or allegorical device of " riches." The back-
ground containing a leafless tree, the scene therefore suggests an autumn celebration.
This plate bears a blue hall-mark, indicating a treasured object.
Era of K'ang-hsi (1662-1722).
Diameter, 20 'A inches.
33
