Page 329 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

PAINTED IN COLOURS OVER THE GLAZE. 191
mouths." P. 59, Marriage ceremony : " After a brief interval,
a
tray
the bride returns into the hall, bearing of betel-nut for
the guests."
No. 327. Coarse porcelain plate. Diameter, 8 J inches ;
height, 1J inch. Mark, a four-legged vase in two blue rings.
Motive, the eight famous horses of the monarch Muh Wang,
painted in red and other impossible colours, as also is the land-
The border on rim is broken four reserves
scape. diaper by
filled with flowers.
The eight famous steeds of the emperor Muh Wang
"
(Mayers, p. 339), each of which bore a distinguishing name."
"
P. 158 : He ascended the throne 1001 B.C. His reign is
celebrated through traditions, which relate incidents of the
intercourse with the West and the vast journeys undertaken by
this adventurous monarch. It is recorded that he conducted
great campaigns against the rebellious barbarian tribes on his
southern and western frontiers, and was driven by his charioteer
Tsao Fu, with his famous horses, wherever wheel-ruts ran
eight
and the hoofs of horses had trodden. The ' Annals of the
Bamboo Books ' relate that in his seventeenth year he headed
an expedition to Mount Kw'en-lun, and visited Si Wang
Mu."
No. 328. Plate of fine Diameter, 8§ inches
porcelain. ;
1 inch. Mark, a vase in double blue
height, four-legged
circles. There is as much blue as enamel on this
green plate,
and the design is often to be met with. The attendant on foot,
with umbrella the bundle on his back, seems to be
supporting
the on horseback which he should
directing gentleman way
take. The table and group of symbols are as large as the
pavilion. The decoration is marked off by two red lines. On
the rim are four in
designs green, blue, neutral tint, and red,
separated by four lots of symbols. On the side a row of
inverted heads are cut off the two red lines
joo-e by enclosing
the centre The motive is said to
picture. probably represent
a Chinese warrior his home in search of official em-
leaving
ployment, accompanied by his servant. As a rule, there is
more blue than used in the decoration of these
green particu-
lar in this class,
plates. This, as also No. 327, although put
were no doubt originally imported as dessert plates. Properly
speaking, they are Indian china verte, but are placed here to