Page 227 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

PAINTED IN COLOURS UNDER THE GLAZE. 155

pseony, and lotus, representing the four seasons. The back of
the rim is covered with an arabesque of preonies, while on the
rise are four
piconies.
Fine Arts Club 28: "This
"Burlington Catalogue," p.
has been to have been made
shaped plate supposed specially
for the Dutch to receive a cake, which stood on the boss, while
in the hollow a certain sauce, made of rum, surrounded the cake."
No. 246. Dish of fairly good but thick porcelain. Diameter,
inches 2 inches. No mark. of stand but
14J ; height, J Edge
and washed with brown. The decoration
slightly glazed, is
marked off by live double lines, target fashion, but at un-
equal distances, the largest being at the side, which is filled
with conventionalized flowers from rocks. At
springing eight
back, between the usual double rings at top of stand and edge,
are six large conventionalized flowers. This piece may be
taken as belonging to the Sino-Persian class.
Blue and White Hawthorn.
The " hawthorn " — the " which
pattern really primus,"
its blossoms before its leaves — to be met with
produces is
date-marks is now held
bearing very early ; but it generally
that none are to
genuine previous Yung-ching (1723-1736),
"
and the finest and most prized examples were probably made
about this date."
from the
Quoting again Burlington (1895) Catalogue, p.
"
xxii. : In the modulated or reticulated where
backgrounds,
colour is laid on between a network of
very.unevenly straight
dark lines, crossing each other like fissures in ice or an
crystal,
effect of and is sometimes obtained.
great depth transparency
The of this is It have been
origin ground disputed. may
" "
based on their admiration for crackelled china it be
; may
a mere decorative device to and of
get variety profundity
colour. Sometimes the dark marks are drawn with
great
It has been that the motive of these
sharpness. suggested
is the of blossom on ice in
pieces falling primus early spring.
The Chinese are quite poetical enough to have conceived
such a charming fancy." 8
8 true that the so-called hawthorn is but a ceramic
It is quite expression
for the singularly beautiful effect of the falling blossoms of the early plum on
broken ice, which has floated down the rivers from the north, finding the plum
in full bloom in the neighbourhood of the river mouths.— T. J. L.