Page 360 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

210 CHINESE PORCELAIN.

to and the other must do as well as he can while in
step,
of the ball. A ball, in imitation of an immense
pursuit pearl,
is carried by some one who runs in front of the beast, or darts
across its it for the of its
path, showing purpose attracting
attention and The lion is believed to be
exciting its pursuit.
exceedingly fond of playing with the ball."
No. 344. Vase similar to the last. Height, 18 inches. No
mark. Here the motive is a young Chinaman, who has just
become for his intended's house in a wheel-
engaged, starting
chair, shoved from behind by a servant, with a coolie behind
him the that have to be sent to the
carrying presents girl
and her family ; Doolittle, p. 47 : "A pair of silver or gold
wristlets ; and for her family, various articles of food, as pigs'
feet, a pair of fowls, two fish, etc." In return, the girl's family
send " a quantity of artificial gilt flowers, some vermicelli, and
bread-cakes. The flowers are for distribution among the female
members of the family. These presents are, in the Chinese
view, omens of good to the parties most intimately concerned."
The air as he starts, it will be noticed, is represented as full of
good omens — pieces of red cloth, coins, etc. From above, on
the neck of the vase, the married ladies of the household watch
his or be the ladies of the other household
starting, they may
examining the presents on their arrival.
No. 345. Candle bracket of rough porcelain, base unglazed.
Height, 7^ inches. No mark. Back, white glaze with rose-
The is in of a with
spray. top shape joo-e head, blue-green
iron-red margin. The panel below is decorated with a lady
a vase and
carrying girl by her side. They are dressed in iron-
reds, purple, blue, and greens. The tree at back, as also the
fence, iron-red. The dragon's head at foot is in iron-red with
green ears and eyelashes, gilt horns ; from the mouth springs
the candle-holder in with another similar
blue-green, dragon's
head, in the open mouth of which is placed the candle socket
in with iron-red rim. The is decorated with
pea-green tray
gold-red roses and green leaves, iron-red rim. Gilt enters freely
into the whole
composition.
No. 346. A porcelain dish, fine ware. Diameter, 9 inches ;
height, If inch. Mark, in red, Taou-kwang (1821-1851).
On back, near the five bats in red. Gilt
edge, edge very
slightly scalloped. There is no decoration on the front of this