No. 2371. CATALOGUE OF BUDDHIST ART—CASANOWICZ 335 



254. Altar covering (Chinese, huan mun-tiao-kua) . — Made of brown 

 cloth, consisting of a center piece scalloped at the lower edge, with 

 two side pieces which descended over the edge of the altar. Em- 

 broidered in gold with dragons and Jcilins (kirins), a mythical ani- 

 mal, pictured as resembling a stag in its body and a horse in its 

 hoof, but possessing the tail of an ox and a parti-colored or scaly 

 skin, and a single horn, having a fleshy tip, proceeds out of the fore- 

 head. The kilin is believed to exhibit great benevolence of dis- 

 position toward other living animals, and to appear only when wise 

 and just kings or sages are born. Dimensions, 24 by 30} inches. 

 Shanghai, China. (Cat. No. 158307, U.S.N.M.) 



255-258. Four altar coverings (Chinese, huan mun-tiao-kua). — 

 Made of oblong pieces of brown cloth, with centerpieces of red cloth. 

 The edges are embroidered in silk with floral designs, while on the 

 body is an inscription in Chinese characters pasted on. Dimensions, 

 37 by 8i inches. Shanghai, China. (Cat. No. 158307, U.S.N.M.) 



259, 260. Pair of candlesticks.— -Made of pewter in the shape of 

 the Chinese character for longevity {sheu). The candles are stuck 

 on the points at the top of the candlesticks, and lighted whenever a 

 ceremony takes place. This is done in the temple service as well as 

 in home worship. Height, 19 inches. Shanghai, China. (Plate 81, 

 figs. 1 and 3, Cat. No. 158294, U.S.N.M.) 



261. Incense burner (kong-po-to) . — Made of pewter. On the front 

 are in relief the Chinese characters for longevity {sheu) and bliss {fu). 

 Height, 7£ inches; length, 5 J inches; width, 4 inches. Shanghai, 

 China. (Plate 81, fig. 2, Cat. No. 158295, U.S.N.M.) 



262. Imitation candlesticks. — Wooden sticks with inserted points 

 for candles to be stuck on them. Height, 8 inches. Japan. (Cat. 

 No. 130678, U.S.N.M.) 



263. Censer. — Bronze. Supported on three legs formed of double 

 volutes or spirals. The handles are in shape of dragons. The cover, 

 in open work, is surmounted by a mythical bird perched on some 

 mythical animal. The circumference is embossed with dragons and 

 other monsters. Height, 10 inches; diameters, 6 and 4f inches. 

 Japan. (Plate 82, fig. 1, Cat. No. 220057, U.S.N.M.) Lent by Miss 

 Eliza R. Scidmore. 



264. Candlestick. — Bronze. Consisting of the figure of an emaci- 

 ated ascetic holding a long dragon, the head of which rests on the 

 base, while the tail terminates in a bowl for inserting a candle. 

 Height, 6£ inches. Kobe, Japan. (Plate 82, fig. 2, Cat. No. 154825, 

 U.S.N.M.) 



265. Censer. — Brass. Height, 6£ inches. Kobe, Japan. (Cat. No. 

 254828, U.S.N.M.) 



266. Censer. — Brass. The cover, in open work, is surmounted by 

 a knob. Height, 4 inches. Japan. (Cat. No. 158314, U.S.N.M.) 



