Page 137 - J. P Morgan Collection of Chinese Art and Porcelain

OF CHINESE PORCELAINS [CASE K

6. LARGE VASE. A magnificent K'ang-hsi vase

of Taoist character, with the figures and other details
boldly marked in high relief in the paste, and brilliantly
painted with the richest palette of the famille verte, in

combination with gold, so as to stand out with vivid

distinction and force. The principal figure is Shou Lao,
the god of longevity, mounted on a deer, with a stork
flying over his head, and acolytes in attendance. On

the opposite side of the vase is Hsi Wang Mu, the

"Queen Mother of the West," riding on a scroll of
clouds, with an attendant carrying three peaches, and

a deer bringing a branch of the sacred fungus in its

mouth. Her consort, Tung Wang Kung, the "Sov-

ereign Lord of the East," stands near with a roll of

writing in his hand, preceded by his alter ego, Tung-
fang So, carrying off the stolen fruit of life. Another

man in attendance holds up a babe in a dish, a gift for
some faithful devotee of the goddess. The Pa Hsien,

(Eight Genii), and many other saintly hermits of the

Taoist cult are grouped on the body of the vase, to be

recognized by their varied attributes. On the neck we

see IVu Lao, (the Five Old Ones), embodied spirits of

the five planets, who are examining a scroll unrolled be-
fore them with the yin yang symbol of the powers of

light and darkness painted on it.

K'ang-hsi (1662-1722). Height 30 inches.

TWO7, 8. LARGE VASES. Powder-blue. Cylin-

drical in form, with tall necks. Rich ground of powder-

blue, overlaid with an intricate ornament in gold, en-

closing four oblong panels richly decorated in alternate

floral and landscape designs. Corresponding reserves

below and above.

K'ang-hsi (1662-1722). Height 30 inches.

9. LARGE PLATE. Landscape with figure in

brilliant colors; the border is decorated with flowers on

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