Page 236 - Chinese porcelains collected by Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Taft, Cincinnati, Ohio, by John Getz
P. 236
A CATALOGUE OF
No. 70
Tall Square Vase, of dense heavy porcelain, with " famille verte " decora-
XVItion: made to hold arrows. This specimen is mounted on a Louis
bronze stand to replace its original porcelain pedestal.
The four quadrangular sides of the vase are alternately embellished with tcdsed juid
openwork ornamentation in separate divisions, and with paintmg in polychrome enamel
colors of the early K'ang-hsi period.
A broad horizontal band with a pale amber-colored ground in "over-glaze" decora-
tions surrounds the middle of this vase, showing a "four-clawed" dragon-like serpent
(Mcmg), alternately in green and red, surrounded by arabesque foliage in green and lotus
blossoms in red and manganese purple (aubergine) ; this band divides each side into three
distinct sections: The upper, with a white-glazed ground, sustains two separate adorn-
—ments i.e., two raised medallions with blossoms and foliage in bold relief, and a rich
flower and fruit decoration in brilliant colors; the alternating motive being (two) raised
circular "Longevity" characters ("Shou") in openwork and gilding.
The lower division, with its white ground, contains a circular decorated medallion on
each side, displaying a rampant dragon pursuing the "precious gems," or pearls, amid
conventional cloud and flame symbols; two of these dragons are green, alternating with
one in aubergine and one in red.
Two narrow and raised key-fret borders in green and purple (aubergine), together
with a third band showing a floral decoration on a stippled ground, finish and emphasize
the middle and upper divisions.
The white body-glaze is slightly tinged with a delicate and barely visible cdladon
shade.
Early K'ang-hsi (1662-1722).
Height, IS'/e inches.
Body, 4 inches square.
"92
