Page 212 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

CHINESE PORCELAIN.
152
on this beaker is of lighter shade than usual. It is probably a
Kang-he piece.
"
No. 230. South Kensington description : Vase and cover.
white Chinese with blue ornament,
Bowl-shaped ; porcelain
mounted in gilt metal of Louis XV. style. Height, 13 inches ;
diameter, 8 inches."
Louis XV. reigned from 1715 to 1774. The mounting
need not of necessity be proof of age, but this jar probably
to the first half of the
belongs eighteenth century.
The decoration in this case is a very favourite one with
the Chinese, and was used in very early times on the metal
vessels employed in their temples. As in their other patterns,
never tire of to it in some The main
they trying vary way.
feature is the intersecting of the surface with a joo-e head-
scroll, and in pierced pieces the vessel is often reticulated in
this fashion. In the present instance, what should be the
head is filled in with a conventionalized lotus
joo-e pattern.
On the cover will be noticed triangle diaper-work, which in this
case is flowered instead of having the spaces filled in with lines.
No. 231. A porcelain conical-shaped jar. Height, 9J inches.
No mark. Should have a dome cap cover. Decorated top and
bottom with "Vandykes of blue with white floriations, apparently
'
lotus conventionalized ; in the centre are sprays of flowers.
This Vandyke style is said to be copied from the metal vases
so in use by the Chinese at their religious festivals, and
long
no doubt was taken from the head. This
originally joo-e may
be a
Kang-he (1661-1722) piece.
Nos. 230 and 231 may be said to be different treatments
of the same subject.
Nos. 232. A cylindrical short-necked porcelain bottle.
Height, 9J inches. No mark, but two blue rings. The decora-
tion is marked off by two blue lines into two large reserves,
the space between being covered by foliage and a large con-
ventional flower, of which only one-half is anywhere represented.
On one side is the usual motive of a vase, with two
very pea-
cock feathers and a j)iece of coral, on either side of which is a
These are
tripod-stand. probably scroll-holders. Tripod
incense burners are used by Taoist priests in their alchemical
laboratories, and therefore are considered sacred, able to over-
come evil influences. Above these appear the pearl and mirror