Page 256 - J. P Morgan Collection of Chinese Art and Porcelain

CASE XXl] THE MORGAN COLLECTION

CASE XXI

525. CYLINDRICAL VASE, club-shaped. A cyl-

indrical vase of the K'ang-hsi period cleverly deco-

rated with two shades of vermilion in combination

with gold. The motive of its decoration is the legend
of the transmigration of fish into dragons, which we

have met with before. A carp, repeated on either side,

in the act of springing up the celebrated cascades of

the Yellow River at the Lung Men, or Dragon Gate,

figured here by twin perpendicular rocks. A pair of

four-clawed dragons, into which the fishes are pre-
sumed to have changed, envelop the rest of the vase

in their scaly folds, pursuing two whirling jewels of
omnipotence in the midst of flaming clouds. The
shoulder of the vase is covered with swastika pattern

diaper studded with prunus blossoms, interrupted by
panels of emblems of "the four liberal arts." The
neck displays shou characters with swastika symbols
wanshou (a myriad ages!) together with formal sprays

of sacred fungus, and the decoration is completed by
formal borders of castellated design, rectangular and

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

526, 527. TWO CYLINDRICAL VASES with

spreading lips, on ormolu stands. Covered with floral
scrolls in white on a vermilion ground, with arabesque

borders on shoulders and bases in brilliant red, blue,

and green enamels. Height 21 inches.
K'ang-hsi (i 662-1 722).

TWO528, 529. OVOID JARS, with straight lids.

Floral scroll in white on a vermilion ground.

K'ang-hsi (1662- 1722). 9KHeight inches.

530. OVOID VASE with short neck, spreading lip

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