Page 202 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

ISO CHINESE PORCELAIN.

market, to be succeeded later by teacups and newer shapes
needed by the changes that took place in western customs. 6
No. 225. A dish made of fine Diameter, 8
porcelain. J
inches; height, 1 \ inch. Mark, "Kang-hi" (1665-1722), in
two blue This is The
rings. piece very carefully painted.
design is marked out by one blue line at edge, with rather
more than three-quarters of an inch lower down two more blue
lines close together, the space between the upper of these and
the one at edge being filled in with honeycomb diaper
work. In the centre a four-clawed dragon holding an oval
tablet in its front claws. The groundwork is covered with
nebulae of fire, the whole enclosed
being by two circles.
This is a verv old design.
202 " In the of five
Marryat, p. : 'History Feou-liang,'
are filled with the enumeration of the
quarto pages porcelain
furnished for the emperor. Among these are 31,000 dishes,
with flowers; 16,000 white with blue
plates, dragons; 18,400
for flowers or wine, with two in the midst of
cups dragons
clouds; 11,250 dishes, white ground, with blue flowers and
dragons, holding on their claws the two words, Fo ('happi-
ness and cheou (' long life
') ')."
No. 226. This dish is made of coarse material. Diameter,
8h inches ; height, 1 J inch. Mark, seal mark in two blue
This is an of white
rings. piece example upon blue, and in
decoration as well as is a much than the
quality rougher piece
above, but probably much more like the china referred to as
belonging to an emperor of the Yuan or Mongolian dynasty
Here we have "two in the midst of
(1279-1368). dragons
clouds." The back is decorated by charms, two pearls and tw< >
rolls The is similar to that on the
(or books). groundwork
hawthorn jars, except that it is marked with curves instead of a
"
network of lines. This is generally called "marble ground.
No. 227. Cylindrical vase with flange at mouth. Height,

11
These tankards are
simply Chinese jars and covers. The European
metal-workers displayed great ingenuity in adapting Chinese shapes to suit
West ciii requirements. Some pieces are so altered in appearance by the
mounting as to be nearly irrecognizable ; for instance, we find two bowls
brought together so as to form a covered receptacle or spherical ornament.
It was not till later that the Chinese came under
European influence in regard
to shapes.— T. J. L.