Feb., 1912. 



Jade. 



213 



as if it were painted)." This phrase goes to show that pictorial in- 

 fluence is imputed to this design, 1 and I therefore doubt if the piece in 

 question is, as stated, a 



work of the Han. It 

 must come down from 

 the T'ang or Sung period, 

 judging from its style. 

 The ring in Fig. 114 is 

 engraved with a floral 

 wreath styled "auspi- 

 cious plants" (jui ts'ao) 

 and praised in the text 

 as "breathing in its ele- 

 gance and beauty the 

 spirit of the Han." This 

 is all very well, and the 

 elegance of the* pattern, 

 nobody will deny; but, 

 thus far, it cannot be pointed out earlier than on works of the T'ang. 

 period and breathes too, according to my feeling, the spirit of the 



Fig. 112. 



Jade Girdle-Ring in Shape of Coiled Clouds 



(from Ku yii t'u p'u). 





Fig. 113. 

 Jade Girdle-Ring with Design of Phenix (from Ku yii t'u p'u). 



T'ang. If this plant of good luck is to be identified with the tea-plant 

 (Petillon, /. c.y p. 247), it is certainly out of the question that the 



1 For a full discussion of this subject see below. 



