Page 235 - Chinese porcelains collected by Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Taft, Cincinnati, Ohio, by John Getz
P. 235
CHINESE PORCELAINS
No. 69
Tall Square Vase, with figures in relief. The porcelain is of fine hard texture
and massive, decorated in brilliant "famille verte" colors.
The vertical sides, tapering from the shoulder to the base, present a series of four groups,
modeled in high relief and richly glazed : The first includes Lao Tsze, the ancient philos-
opher and founder of Taoism, with lofty brow in accordance to traditions, accom-
panied by a boy attendant holding a long stem or a tablet; and a landscape setting in
various colored glazes against a fine white ground.
The second panel holds an official in court attire walking in a tenaced garden with
balustrade, accompanied by a boy bearing a long stem with a lotus flower (an emblem
Aof fruitfulness). high rocky cliff is in the background, and, above, an inscribed poem
finishes the panel.
The third panel presents jui official bearing the " Ju-i" wand (of official rank), accom-
Apanied by a boy carrying a presentation vase. large growing palm tree is shown, in-
dicating retirement and freedom from the turmoil of life.
The fourth panel presents a warrior with bow, and also a boy, who holds an anow
with a lemcet point (an orncunent or symbol), possibly being instructed in archery; an
inscription also adorns this panel.
The square attenuated neck, flaring into a broad rim at the top, decorated with a fret
in green, has raised gift vases below separately picked out in transparent colored glazes.
The bevel shoulder panels are in rich brocaded design, showing red blossoms and green
foliage on a light-green ground ; a similar brocaded pattern fills the panels on the con-
tracted base, which spreads outward.
The foot underneath is biscuit.
Era of K'ang-hsi (1662-1722).
Height, 81 inches.
Diameter, 6 4 inches at foot.
'
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