Page 234 - J. P Morgan Collection of Chinese Art and Porcelain

CASE XVIIl] THE MORGAN COLLECTION

musical plaque of jade, a lyre wrapped in its case, and a

wine cup of rhinocerous horn. On the neck of the vase,

as if presiding over the scene below, are grouped the

Taoist triad, Fu, Lu, Shou, the star gods of happiness,

rank and longevity. The first of the three bears in

front a banner with four large gold characters on it,

T'ien kuan tfiifu (The celestial official who bestows
happiness). The pineclad rocks which form the back-

ground of the figure scenes present a gorgeous decora-

tive effect in shades of green.

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

474. LARGE CLUB-SHAPED VASE. Boldly

drawn decoration of figures in predominating tones of

copper-red, in similar style and technique to No. 440.

K'ang-hsi (1662-1722). Height 18 inches.

475. BEAKER with spreading lips and base. A

striking specimen of the finest Chinese ceramic art,

complete in every detail. The luminous green ground,

stippled with black, on which the butterflies are brightly
displayed, is spread with natural sprays of flowers and

—fruit, after the decorative motive known technically

as po hud (a hundred flowers). The large foliated
panels on the neck of the vase exhibit two of the most
characteristic flowers, the peony and chrysanthemum.

The other reserve panels on the body are of pleasingly
varied outline, the po hi emblems being grouped in

pomegranates, the sea monsters in ficus religiosa leaves,
and the birds and landscapes on lotus leaves partly un-

rolled at the edges. In every particular it will repay

careful study.

K'ang-hsi (1662-1722). Height 31 inches.

476. CYLINDRICAL INCENSE-BURNER. Form-

ed as two sections of bamboo. Richly diapered
ground of rose and gold, with isolated blossoms and

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