Page 324 - The art of the Chinese potter By Hobson

PLATE LXVIII

Vase with wide ovoid body, short, straight neck, and wide

mouth with flanged lip, and two^ handles' in the form of dragon

masks pierced for rings. Grey porcellanous ware with sea-

green celadon glaze ; the base formed by a saucer which has
been dropped in and secured by the glaze. The ornament is

carved in relief and etched. On the body is a broad belt with

relief design of pavilions and groups of figures ; one figure is
pointing to a doorway over which is written sheng hsien

(become a hsien or Immortal) ; on the other side Lii Tung-pin

appears, on a cloud, to his votaries, and there is the legend

yo yang. On the shoulder is a band of ju-i ornament, and

Onabove the base, false gadroons enclosing stiff leaves. the

neck a floral scroll is incised and a vandyke pattern on the

mouth-rim.

Doubtless the buildings represent the famous Yo-yang

tower in Hunan ; and the scene may be intended to represent

a Taoist adept about to become a hsien, i.e. to enter on Immor-

tality.

Ch'u Chou ware. Ming dynasty. H. 14".

In the possession of Mr. George Eumorfopoulos.