Page 388 - Chinese Porcelain Vol II, Galland

KEEN-LUNG.
4 i4

In considering the rose verte section, attention must be
called to those decorated in with what looks much
pieces part
more like an iron red than anything else, but is probably the
result of some combination of pigments by which the Chinese
seem to have been able to bring about new shades. Their skill
in so doing we have already had proof of in the peach-bloom
class.
Nos. 717, 718, 719. A " fancy cylindrical " vase (the reader
will notice the in as time
change shape goes on). Height,
17 inches. No mark. On the neck there is a tripod incense-
burner, a black and white cat, lute, boots, vase with flower-
scrolls, chess-board, and round vase for the chessmen. The
decoration on the body of the vase consists of a wedding scene.
The with two attendants salutes the bride with
bridegroom
four attendants, while at the back, in No. 717, will be seen
the table with the two wedding cups, which, it will be noticed,
have horns so as to allow of their tied with red
being together
cord The shade of red referred
(see p. 49). particular to,
which is an on the dresses of the bride
opaque enamel, appears
and as also on the lanterns carried the
bridegroom, by
attendants, and is relieved in the first instance by green
dragons with yellow heads, also clouds in white, blue, and
yellow. The waves towards the foot of the dresses are in
green or white. The trunk of the palm is in blue enamel
with green foliage, and the colouring, except where black
is for the rest in the usual and other coloured
appears, pink
enamels of the period.
The in a
mariage customs, no doubt, vary greatly large
like China of those current
country ; but the following epitome
at Fuhchau, as given by Doolittle, will suffice for our purpose.
The the match a
parents arrange through go-between, generally
an old woman, who takes a card with the man's ancestral
young
name and to the return a
age lady's family, who, if agreeable,
similar card, fortune-tellers been consulted
having previously
by both families. After three days, if nothing unlucky
happens, cards with the dragon and pho3nix, along with two
red cords and two needles in each are and
exchanged kept
as proof of the engagement, along with presents (see p. 210).
"
The red silk indicates that the of the
engagement parties
in is fixed and
marriage unalterable, or, in common language,