Page 139 - Catalog Of Chinese Applied Art

851. GLOBULAR JAR OF RED TERRA-COTTA, coated with white slip, with, simple

incised design in sgraffito. Covered with rich green glaze now worn dull and smooth.
The base is unglazed. Height 6| inches. Early Ming.

852. WINE JAR OF REDDISH-BUFF STONEWARE, with globular body and in-

curved neck rising to a straight wide rim. On the shoulder is a frieze band divided

by two applied lion head masks, with rings, the frieze bears a boldly modelled
hunting scene. The resemblance in the shape and finish to an ancient bronze is now
intensified by the decay that has overtaken the greenish-yellow glaze. Height

9f inches.
Lent by G. Eumorfopoulos, Esq.

853. LARGE CYLINDRICAL JAR, with flattened shoulder and short erect rim. Made

in hard-fired coarse red terra-cotta. Thickly covered with white slip, through

which the pattern hcis been scratched down to the red body. It is possible to follow
the lines of the comb-like tool used to make the incision. The body of the vase is thus
divided into four upright panels with wide borders. The panels contain, alternately,
boldly incised birds and floral sprays. There is an embossed band of a conventional

fret-work pattern round the top of the pot, which is interrupted at intervals with
the swastika and other emblems. The origincd slip coating apparently only ex-

tended to the top of the vase, for the broad shoulder has been decorated in the reverse
way, i.e., strong Unes of slip almost like cords have been painted on to form an outline
for the design, and then the necessary spaces have been washed over with thinner slip.
The whole is glazed with transparent, coarsely mottled brownish-yellow glaze.

—Artistically, this piece is of great distinction, and it is of extraordinary technical

interest. Height 14 inches. Sung Ming^

Lent by W. C. Alexander, Esq.

854. A HOLLOW BRICK-SHAPED PIECE OF EARTY BUFF TERRA-COTTA,

decorated so as to resemble a box for containing MSS. Incised pattern painted
with strong touches of dark blue, amber and creamy-white glaze. Height 2f inches,
8 inches long. T'ang Dynasty.

If the date ascribed to this piece is correct, it is the earliest known example of the

use of cobalt blue underglaze in China.

Lent by G. Eumorfopoulos, Esq.

CASE Gg

THIS CASE CONTAINS THE EARLIEST BRONZES

855. BRONZE INCENSE BURNER, decorated with bands of inscriptions which appear

to have been inlaid with fine wire. 9J inches by 10 inches. Han Dynasty.

HLent by R. Benson, Esq.

856. BRONZE INCENSE BURNER, with tripod legs and applied rude ogre-headed

masks at the angles, the neck bears a band of incised primitive ornament
;

repaired. 7 inches high. Chou Dynasty.

Though these covered bowls are commonly spoken of as " Burners," it
Incense

is improbable that they were used for such a purpose as their covers are not pierced.

Lent by G. T. Veitch, Esq.

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