Page 592 - The art of the Chinese potter By Hobson

PLATE CXXXV

Fig. i. Stem-cup {pa pei), bowl-shaped, with everted rim and
straight narrow shank. Porcelain enamelled in tomato red,
green, aubergine, and yellow. Inside, a medallion with

petal border, enclosing a figure of Lu Tung-pin (one of the

Eight Immortals) in clouds, with branches of pine, bamboo,
and prunus (emblems of longevity) in the spaces ; red wave
border at the lip. Outside, four groups of the Eight Im-
mortals in pairs floating on clouds ; stiff leaves and key-fret
border on the stem.

Chia Ching period (1522-1566). H. 46".
In the possession of Mr. H. J. Oppenheim.

Fig. 2. Box of oblong, rectangular form with rounded corners.
Porcelain enamelled on the biscuit with yellow, aubergine,

and greenish white in a deep green ground. On the top of

the lid are four fantastic animals charging over green water,

which is represented by spiral waves strewn with white plum
blossoms and coloured symbols ; on the sides, a groove and
border of green matting pattern. The sides of the box are
decorated to match with green matting border and symbols
and plum blossoms on green waves. Base unglazed ; the

interior smeared with a thin greenish white.

The symbols belong to the group known as the pa chi

—hsiang the Eight Buddhist Emblems which comprise the

wheel, shell trumpet, state umbrella, canopy, lotus flower,
vase, pair of fish, and the angular knot.

The " wave and plum-blossom pattern " is named in the

lists of porcelain supplied to the Imperial Palace in the 16th

century, but it is a pattern which retained its popularity for

long after the Ming period.

Wan Li period (1573-1619). L. 69".

In the possession of Mr. H. J. Oppenheim.