Page 366 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

212 CHINESE PORCELAIN.

the lower bottom, while the aperture seen at foot serves for
the removal of the ash, and as a vent to the fire. The cover
so that the cylinder projects through it; the
is
perforated,
former can be removed at will. The inside is white glaze.
These are used in damp and cold weather in the south of
China.
—
Decoration on the stand, or rather ash-pan, we find in green
with outline the old while the body is
pink sweet-flag pattern,
covered with a blue swastika diaper relieved by eight reserves,
filled with figures in the ancient costume, the eight immortals
on the cover. The borders are yellow with
appearing pink joo-e
heads. This piece is included in this series to call attention
to the fact that occasionally are to be met with pieces which
at first sight appear to belong to the mandarin class, but on
closer are found to be decorated with figures in old
inspection
costume, which cannot be said to look at home on mandarin
and in mandarin colours. Four
shapes painted gilt dragon
heads attach brass handles to the bowl and cover. This piece
probably dates from about the early middle of the nineteenth
century, and is one of those exceptional pieces that it is difficult
to determine to which class it ought by rights to belong.
No. 348. Mug, brown rim, unglazed base. Height, 4J
inches diameter, 4 inches. No mark. With of
; exception
the large reserve decorated with mandarin figures, and the
four small reserves filled with pink foliage, this piece is entirely
covered with blue swastika diaper-work. The inside is plain
white
glaze.
Mandarin ivith Flowered Borders.
No. 349. Dish of fine porcelain. Diameter, 8J inches. No
mark. The border is composed of flowers and foliage, broken by
four reserves marked off by gilt palm leaves. In the centre is a
winter scene, as shown by the evergreen fir tree against which
leans a gentleman in his winter hat, handing a basket of sweet-
meats to a lady, who is directing the studies of her daughter
standing at the table with books ; female attendant in the back-
ground with fan. This dish was originally part of a tea-set,
and the is unusual, yellow, brown, and neutral tint
colouring
largely taking the place of the greens, reds, and purples so
common in this class.