Page 271 - Chinese porcelains collected by Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Taft, Cincinnati, Ohio, by John Getz

CHINESE PORCELAINS

No. 77

Tall Square Vase, with ** black-hawthorn " embellishment, its rect-
angular form tapering downward, and shoulder slightly curved, with
mortar-shaped neck : the paste is of dense kaolinic texture, that shows
on the reserved white margin bordering the edge of each panel.

This vase is invested with a heavy lustrous green-black enamel that attractively
sets off the imposed decoration on the four sides, displaying with fascinating fidelity the
branches of the wild prunus (" Mei ") tree, springing alternately from the shoulder or
base, and profusely covering each of the panels with white buds and blossoms,

msurrounded by fluttering or flying birds, all picked out and harmoniously glazed

light transparent colors, with strongly outlined branches glazed in a neutral tint of
aubergine (manganese) shaded by hatched lines and knurls in a darker tone.

The four corners of shoulder bear white clusters of the same blossoms, and the neck,

also in black, holds butterflies and lotus flowers alternately ; the square foot is biscuit

(unglazed).

Era of K'ang-hsi (1662-1722).

Height, 91 x 5^/4 inches.

'"le,

[105;