Page 600 - The art of the Chinese potter By Hobson

PLATE CXXXVII

Fig. i. Box of rectangular form with indented angles. Porcelain

painted in iron red. On the top of the cover, a phoenix and a

stork in clouds, and two medallions of pa kua emblems ; on
the sides of the box and cover, a running ling chih fungus scroll

and a formal scroll border. Mark in dark Mohammedan blue,

Ta Ming Chia Ching nien chih, made in the Chia Ching period
of the great Ming dynasty (1522-1566).

The pa kua or Eight Trigrams are supposed to explain the
phenomena of nature, and to have been revealed to the
Emperor Fu Hsi (2852-2738 B.C.) by a dragon horse in the
Yellow River. The trigrams consist of triple combinations
of long and short lines. They are sometimes used to denote

the points of the compass, and have been extensively employed
for ages in systems of divination.

L. 5-6".

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

Fig. 2. Saucer-dish of fine porcelain with designs outlined in

brown on the biscuit and washed in with aubergine and white
glazes in a yolk-of-egg yellow ground. In the centre, two five-

clawed Imperial dragons in flames disputing a pearl. On the

sides four ling- chih fungus designs. Outside, a band of
running foliage scroll.

Mark, in a double ring, Ta Ming Wan Li nien chih, made
in the Wan Li period of the great Ming dynasty (1573-1619).

D. 62".
In the possession of Mr. H. B. Harris.