CERAMIC ART IN CHINA. 369 



translated "pha^nix." One writer describes it as having the head 

 of a plieasant, the beak of a swallow, the net-k of a tortoise, and the 

 outward semblance of a dragon, tii whicli another version adds the 

 tail of a lish, but in pictorial representations it is usually delineated, 

 as here, as a compound of a peacock and a pheasant, with the addi- 

 tion of man 3' gorgeous colors. Very early legends narrated that this 

 bird made its appearance as a presage of the advent of virtuous 

 rulers, whos.e presence it also graced as an emblem of their auspi- 

 cious government. It sat in the court of Huang Ti, who is credited 

 with having entered upon a reign of one hundre<l years in B. C. 2097, 

 while that sovereign observed the ceremonial fasts; and, airording 

 to the Classic of History, it came with measured gambolingsto add 

 splendor to the musical performances conducted by the great Shun 

 (B. C. 2255 to 2206). The five colors of its plumage are supposed 

 to be typical of the five cardinal virtues. As the lung or dragon has 

 become the emblem of the Emperor, so the Jeng-hnanr/ has become 

 that of the Empress. 

 5-8. Tea-cups (4), with everted rim, of pure white, thin Hsiiante (1426 to 1435) porce- 

 lain, with very delicate flower pattern, from which the paste has been excised 

 and replaced by thin film of glaze to render it capable of holding liquid. 

 Beautiful specimens of this style of decoration generally known in English 

 as "lace-work" — the pieces ntioih'es of the Frencli. ]\Iark on foot Ta-mhig- 

 hsilan-ti'-nieu-chih, "Made during the Hsiiante period of the Ming dynasty." 



9. Siitall fish-boiii of Hsiiante white porcehiin, with ornamentation of luang or 



unhorned dragons with pointed head among very conventional clouds, and 

 geometrical pattei'n above running round brim, all incised in paste l>elow a 

 palegreen or celadon glaze. ^lark on foot Ta-ming-hsuan-te-nien-chUi, ' ' ^lade 

 during the Hsiiante period of the Ming dynasty." Height, 6| inches; diam- 

 eter, 8 inches. 



The iiKwg would appear to be properly a huge SQi'pent or Ijoa constrictor. 

 In paintings, however, and in sculpture it is usually represented as 

 a lizard having a scowling head, with a beard at times depending 

 from the chin, and four feet bearing claws but without talons. On 

 the viaug-p'ao, i. e., mang robe, the court dress, no numg, properly 

 speaking, appears, its place being taken ])y a four clawed or taloned 

 dragon. 



10. Tall vase, in shape of bag, with long neck bound around with a rib])on tied in 



bow, of Ch'enghua (1465 to 1487) white porcelain covered with a yellow- 

 black glaze. Height, 13| inches; diameter, 7| inches. 



11 Slender rase of pure white Ch'enghua porcelain; decoration, immortals or genii 

 engaged in literary contests and attended by servants in rocky valley, witli 

 bamboo thickets painted in bright l)lue under glaze. Mark Ta-mhig-cli'' eng- 

 hua-nien-cliih, "Made during the Ch'enghua period of the Ming dynasty." 

 Height, IO4 inches. 



134. Pencil-holder, circular in shape and very broad, of white Ch'enghua porcelain; 

 decoration, which is in beautiful shade of blue under transparent glaze — a 

 long poem from the pen of the celebrated poet Li Tai-po, of the Sung 

 dynasty, inculcating the epicurean philosophy, which may be summed up in 

 Horace's words, Carpe diem, quam mininie credula postero. The advice con- 

 tained in the poem is being put into practice by a merry party round the 

 festive board, whose actions seem to expre.ssthe wordsof the Latin author, 

 Fruamnr bo)tis qiue siod; pretiosovino el imguentisvos i)nj)leamns, nan pnetereat 

 nosflos temporis. No mark. Height, 6 inches; diameter, 61 inches. 



