Page 596 - The art of the Chinese potter By Hobson

PLATE CXXXVI

Dish, of saucer-shape. Porcelain of fine grain with etched
designs under a rich blue glaze. Inside is a large medallion
with phoenix and crane in scrolls of peony and lotus. Outside,
two phcenixes and two cranes in similar scroll work.

The blue glaze appears to be strewn with minute points

as though the grains of colour were not entirely dissolved.

The same kind of effect, but in a more obvious fashion, is
produced by the " powder blue " of the K'ang Hsi period.
The finely traced designs under the glaze are a variety of the
an hua or secret decoration. The phoenix, emblem of the

Empress, is usually represented as flying through peony
scrolls or " fairy flowers " ; the crane, emblem of longevity,
is usually associated with the lotus. Here the two birds and
• their special flowers are combined.

Incised mark of the Chia Ching period. D. 15".
In the Victoria and Albert Museum.