Page 392 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

220 CHINESE PORCELAIN.

of the in which black is used with the other
plates largely
colours. The vase at the back, with Taoist fly-flap, feather-
brush, and scroll (see No. 60), probably indicates that the lady
has brought her two little girls to some mystic to have their
horoscope cast.
No. 369. Eggshell plate. Diameter, 8f inches ; height,
If inch. At rim a light blue band, pink border below, with
four reserves filled with flowers' and fruit. The sides of the
are coloured with Indian-ink trellis-work.
plate light green
The motive is known as the dancing-girl. The reader will
notice the magnolias in the background, symbolical of sweetness
and beauty.
No. 370. Eggshell dish. Diameter, 8 inches ; height, If
inch. No mark. Purple back except in centre, which is
covered with white glaze. The edge is plain, the sides of
the dish being covered with a wide Indian-ink diaper border
in the usual octagon and square pattern ; this, as also the
four reserves, is marked off by narrow gold bands. The re-
serves are ornamented by a spray of a different flower in each.
Below this is a narrow pink band, on which is pencilled, in a
darker shade, a scroll of curl-work. The in
variegated subject
the centre a with a basket over the
represents lady right arm,
and a fish in her left hand, which she seems to
holding just
have received from the fisherman with the fish-basket on his
back. The boy carries a wind toy in one hand, and seems to be
with the other to the intend The
pointing way they taking.
tree at the back is probably intended to represent a willow,
afresh from an old stem
sprouting ; while that to the left is
one of those red trees with red blossoms, so often met with in
these eggshell plates.
No. 371. Diameter, 8
Eggshell plate. J- inches ; height, If
inch. No mark. back in
Purple except centre, which is
covered with white The side decoration of this
glaze. plate is
exactly the same as in No. 370; but the subject in the centre
is a man and woman in a boat, the latter in
being occupied
hanging out t he family washing, while the man is feeding
t\\<» < I ucks, which no doubt have their home in the boat. As
a
background, there is a boulder rock in shades of blue, green,
and brown, with a troe
springing from behind it ; while to the
is one of
L'ighl I ho red stem and blossom trees.