Page 556 - The art of the Chinese potter By Hobson

PLATE CXXVI

Fig. i. Pipe-shaped bottle with globular body, small neck,
and pointed spout. Fine porcelain painted in a soft under-

glaze red of rather pallid tone, with a finely drawn design of
lotus plants in flower, leaf, and bud ; formal border patterns.
The base is unglazed and discloses a fine-grained biscuit burnt
reddish brown.

The copper-red glaze shows incomplete mastery of the

firing technique, and indicates the extent to which the potters

had lost the art at this period. Though subsequently adapted

as narghili for smoking purposes, it appears that objects of
this shape were first used as ewers or even as feeding bottles.
Tobacco, however, was not introduced into China until 1530.

Cheng Te period (1506-22). H. 6".
In the possession of Mr. S. D. Winkworth.

Fig. 2. Shallow bowl with wide mouth and small foot. Porcelain
painted in enamels on the biscuit with a design of Buddhist
lions and brocade balls with streamers in green, aubergine,
and white in a yellow ground.
The Buddhist lion, or dog of Fo, is the guardian of temples

and of Buddhist divinities. He is commonly represented in

form and manner resembling a playful Pekingese spaniel,
sporting with a ball of silk brocade, which was originally the

sacred Buddhist jewel of the law.
Chia Ching period (1522-66). D. 7".

In the possession of Mr. George Eumorfopoulos.