Page 85 - Davies Collection of Chinese Porcelain

212. An oviform black ground vase, the body covered with a delicate brocade

design with flowers in colours and green foliage, upon minute scroll work outlined
in black, covered with a green glaze. This is relieved with two long panels, one

showing a finch upon a flowering branch of the prunus tree, the other a golden
pheasant perched upon a tree above peonies and foliage; between these panels on
each side is a round reserve containing insects and plants, and a leaf-shaped reserve

with cocks. On the shoulder is another brocade design with coloured flowers and

foliage, relieved with four white reserves containing alternately gold and red carp.

The brocade on the neck is similar to that of the body, and is relieved with two
leaf-shaped panels decorated with landscapes. At the rim are two borders in black

and green with the Grecian key and scroll diaper designs, the latter being repeated at

the base of the neck, where it is followed by a narrow band of another brocade.

Dividing the shoulder from the body of the vase is a narrow border of brocade design,

terminating in a band of Joey heads. At the base is a narrow border in black and

green, surmounted by a wide band of godroons with a ground of pale green containing

Apendeloques. marvellous and unique example. All in fine famille-verte colours

on a white ground. Kang-He period. Height 1 7| inches. (See Illustration, Plate

XXV., facing page 78).

A213. superb lantern, hexagonal in form, each section reticulated in two difl^erent

patterns, having in the centre a circular medallion containing respectively the figure
of a lady standing on the foreshore of a lake, a lady fishing, a boy playing with a large

crab and a lady watching, the figure of a poetess, a lady musician, and a lady feeding

fowls. All these panels are richly enamelled in rose-verte colourings. Each of the

reticulated sections has a wide border, and they are of three different designs, but on

all are formal chrysanthemums and lotus flowers. The collar and receding foot have

also reticulated centres with pink and pale blue borderings pencilled in black; the

crown and base have an archaic design in relief in blue, gold, and rouge-de-fer. All

the margins are finely gilt. The whole shows most graceful and exquisite workmanship,

Aand the porcelain is of fine egg-shell. great example. Tung-Ching period. Height

13 J inches. {See Illustration, Plate XXIII., facing page 72).

A214. deep plate, the background of rich black enamel decorated with groups of

flowers of the four seasons richly enamelled in various greens, aubergine, white, and

Ayellow. remarkable feature of this piece is the hawthorn and other blossoms in

delicate blue. The back enamelled apple-green. Seal mark in double ring. Early

Kang-He period. Diameter 8 inches.

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