Page 216 - Chinese porcelains collected by Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Taft, Cincinnati, Ohio, by John Getz

:

A CATALOGUE OF

No. 63

Cylindrical Vase, club-shaped, with rounded shoulder and tubular neck
attenuated and slightly flaring. Fine-textured hard porcelain, decorated
in the "seven-color" palette of K'ang-hsi, "famille verte" t5^e, and

of brilliant quality.

The boldly drawn mountain landscape and figure subject is carried right around and

helped out at the back by large rocks and trees, with conventionalized mist and clouds.

The motive with figures is centered by an emperor, presumably Wu-ti (Han dynasty),
seated in a richly mounted and wheeled palanquin, accompanied by a retinue of at-
tendants and armed body-guard ; in the distance, an approaching army is suggested by
the numerous banners and standards partly visible, among the defiles of a mountain pass.

The subject illustrates an interesting and famous episode in Chinese history ( 1 08- 1 1
B.C.) ; the mounted warrior is Li Kuang-li, who had been dispatched two years previously,

with a large following, to avenge the murdering of a former expedition, that had been sent

(also by this Emperor) to a distant domain, ruled by T'a-yiian, who was known to possess
rare blooded horses of a Turkoman strcun, that were secreted in one of his provinces

(Ir-schi). This first mission, heavily loaded with presents, and including a large following,
was purposely waylaid on approaching its destination and foully murdered, which led to
a second mission, intrusted to Li Kuang-li, who, as general, headed an army for this pur-
pose, but retumed, as shown above, wathout accomplishing anything or bringing any of

the famous horses, so much desired by his Emperor. On this account the Emperor, who

had traveled to the frontier to meet Li Kuang-li, and discovered his failure, forbade him
or any of his troops to cross the border on pain of death.

Subsequently another invasion of Ir-schi, and against T'a-yiian, was ordered by this
Elmperor, including a large army, recruited by the same general, composed of 60,000

men, half of whom were killed in this expedition, conquering T'a-yiian.

Numerous banners are visible, but three bear mystic and rather enigmatical devices
i.e., one behind the Emperor's vehicle displays the ancient and curious combination of
mystic points called "Lo-chou," inspired in very remote times, and very seldom seen on

porcelain.

1821