388 REPORT OF NATIONAL MU8KUM, 1900. 



angli' of slijihtly uiKk-r 90 degrees to form narrow, straight, slender neck. 

 The l)ody is covered with conventional traiUng flowers and leaves, confined 

 above and below by a narrow l)and of geometrical pattern. At junction of 

 neck with body is a smaller band of leaves and flowers, and above another 

 row of flowers between two narrow bands of foliate scroll-work, another 

 l)and of which runs round the foot, all in deep blue under glaze. Height, 

 7i inches. (See Plate 7.) 



l'2'\ la.sc (small) of white jxtrcelain, of delicate shape, somewhat resembling a pear, 

 decorated with a gntuj) of peonies springing from a mass of rockery, boldly 

 painted in deei> l)lne under a glaze, which has a yellowish tint, owing to the 

 closeness of the (rrackle (<rH(7fc'). A good specimen. No mark. Height, 6| 

 inches. (See Plate 6.) 



12t>. Wine-pot of white Yungcheng porcelain, cubic in shape, with tall, slender, rec- 

 tangular handle; decorated with chrysanthemums and ornate foliage, with 

 a deep band of formal scroll-work at base, and foliate scrolls round the neck. 

 A small flower i)attern runs along the outside of the spout and of handle, all 

 in good blue under glaze. Along the sides of tho handle runs a Grecian pat- 

 tern, and along those of the spout a floral scroll, moulded in relief under 

 glaze. No mark. Height of l)ody, 6i inches to top of handle. 



127. Wirie-cnp of fine, transparent, white Yungcheng porcelain, bearing five medal- 

 lions, each formed by afi'tig-lnnnif/ (see No. 4), with long curved wings, care- 

 fully painted in deep blue under glaze. Mark as on No. 85. Height, 2^ 

 inches; diameter, 85 inches. 



12.S. T'rt.se of pure white Yungcheng porcelain, circular in shape, bellying outward 

 to two-thirds of height, then contracting slightly to form low, open neck at 

 I>oint of contraction. Two handles, one on either side, formed of grotesque 

 elephants' heads holding a ring in trunk in relief under glaze. Decoration 

 consists of a child leading one water buffalo, with two others following more 

 or less willingly, among spreading weejnng willows, beautifully painted in 

 deep, bright blue under glaze. An admirable specimen. No mark. Height, 

 H\ inches; diameter, 7 inches. (See Plate 7.) 



129. Vase of pure white Yungcheng porcelain. In shape a half globe with tall, 

 slender, everted neck rising from the center. Decoration consists of one of 

 the Taoist genii (? Lao Tze) in long, flowing yellow robe, with white hair and 

 long, crooked stick, accompanied by an attendant standing under a spreading 

 pine close beside dark -green-blue rocks. The i)ine trunk is delicately shaded 

 in brown, the leaves of deep green, and the figures painted with the delicacy 

 of miniatures. Attached is a metrical inscription to the following effect: 



Above a sheer abyss erag o'erhangs crag, 



Whose heads aloft In piirpK' distance soar, 

 Whose look to mind recalls the five Star-gods 



Who help'd great Shun to rule in days of yore; 

 And shady glens betwixt form cool retreats 



Where sages meet to con tlieir mystic lore. 



It is recorded that the "Five Old Men," the spirits of the Five Planets, 

 ai)peared at court B. C. 2246, and assisted the Emperor Shun with 

 their counsels till he abdicated in favor of Yii, when they disap- 

 peared. Shun then dedicated a temple to the five planets and offered 

 sacrifices in their honor, whereitpon "five long stars" appeared in 

 the heavens with other auspicious signs. 

 This and the following number are beautiful specimens. The paintings 

 upon them are from the brush of Wang Shih-mei, styled Yen-k'e, a 

 celebrated artist of the present dynasty. 

 Height, 7 int^hes; diameter, 4J inches. (See Pate 6.) 



