Page 321 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

PAINTED IN COLOURS OVER THE GLAZE. 187

south, during which he died in the land of Ts'ang-wu, wept
unceasingly as they bent over his tomb ; and their tears,
on the stems of the bamboos around, became trans-
falling
formed into the which adorn the of
spots variegated species
this The monarch's was near the river
plant. grave Siang,
and hence the bamboo is called Bamboo and
spotted Siang,
the two princesses have become deified under the title Siang
"
Fu-jen." P. 272 : The virtues and prosperous government
of the two celebrated sovereigns are commemorated in the
' Heaven as in the of Yao, and the sun
phrase, favouring days
resplendent or days prosperous as in the time of Shun.'
P. 189 " Shun the Yu as his successor, and
adopted great
:
left the empire to him on his death, which is said to have
taken place at Ts'ang-wu."
This is probably a Kang-he piece (1661-1722).
No. 321. This plate (diameter, 14^ inches ; height, 2 inches ;
mark, leaf in double circle, blue) is overloaded with decoration,
on the rim colours
particularly ; while the predominant being-
and red, the whole has a dull, heavy look, which would
green
have been avoided had the surface of the been less
plate
covered and the rim relieved by more white ground. To begin
with, close up to the edge is a border of brown and buff (not
which does to relieve the
glaze), nothing design ; while, in
addition to the close and the
diaper-work being very covering
whole surface, sprays of flowers are thrown over the same,
painted in green, yellow, blue, and neutral-tint enamels. The
heart-shaped reserves, instead of being left white, are filled with
green enamel, on which again coloured designs are placed.
Four of the reserves are filled with the usual vases, symbols,
and charms ; two with birds and flowers ; the remaining two
with squirrels and grapes. The eight diapers are all different,
the one to the right at the bottom being the octagon and
found in the class.
square pattern eggshell
The centre decoration consists of a Chinese garden or
in which three ladies are with a ball, while
courtyard, playing
a fourth is seated in the verandah looking on, an attendant at
back handing tea or other refreshment on a tray. The house
is coloured green and red.
"
30 in China is left to
Jacquemart, p. : Nothing caprice
or fancy. It is not at the will of him who builds a house