rERAMK" ART \N CHINA. 891 



ward roiiiidthe neck, grasping a large l)raiK-li of longevity fungus; the iinnig 

 and fungn.s are of deep vermilion; the leaves of latter are green, covered 

 with thick, brilliant transparent glaze. No mark. A lovely specimen of 

 T'angying's ware. (See page 347.) Height, 7 inches; diameter, 4J inches. 



1H4-Iti7. Rice-bowk (4) of white Yungcheng porcelain covered with closely-crackled 

 (truit^) glaze, having a purple tint rubbed into the crackling. Decoration, 

 inside, at bottom, a peach with six leaves, forming a medallion; outside, four 

 of the Buddhistic emblems (see No. 54), each supported on either side by a 

 spray of fiowers, to which it is attached by long flowing ribbons. Mark as 

 on No. 85, in black on crackled foot. Height, 2 inches; diameter, 5i inches. 



IHS. Pencil-washer of earthenware in shape of a longevity peach sliced in half. It 

 is covered inside with thick white-blue glaze studded Avith deep pittings, as 

 of burst bubbles, a rose and l)ud at bottom; outside is colored with the 

 natural shades of an unripe peach. The handle is formed of the woody stock, 

 which throws out smaller shoots running over the sides of fruit, upon which 

 are full-blown flowers, unopened buds, leaves, and green fruit moulded in 

 high relief and painted in natural colors. A curious specimen of a ware much 

 esteemed ])y the Chinese. No mark. Height, H inches. 



169. Cup of pure white Yungcheng porcelain of i-ircular shape, everted. Decoration 



consists of, itiKtde, waves at Ijottom, at sides bats, and at Ijrim a border of 

 (Trecian pattern, all engraved in paste under transparent glaze; outside, 

 between bands of a very delicate diaper pattern of red at brim, and of green 

 w'ith light-red center at foot, is depicted a high officer (possibly the Emperor 

 himself) with two attendants descending the steps of a pavilion built under 

 the shade of wide-spreading trees, and bearing in his arms the /«-/, or emblem 

 of iiower, to meet a military officer, who, having just dismounted from his 

 horse, around which stand subordinate officers and attendants, is advancing 

 to meet the former. The inscription Ch'u-chioiig-jii-Iuiang-rhiIi-]>ei, "Cup of 

 him who departed as General and returned as Grand Secretary," shows the 

 cui> to have been ordered by the Emjieror to confer upon some high officer 

 who had Vjeen commander-in-chief in some war, and who had V)een invested 

 with the high distinction of grand secretary upon his return crowned with 

 victory. It should be added that in China military officers always occupy a 

 relatively lower rank than do civil officers, and that the dignity of grand 

 secretary, of which there are four, is the highest to which any subject, not 

 of princely rank, can attain. Who the officer so honored in this instance 

 was has not been as yet determined. Apart from the intrinsic interest attach- 

 ing to such a specimen, the cup is remarkable for the miniature-like delicacy 

 and wealth of detail which characterize the painting. 'Slark Ifsij-hita-t'ciuj- 

 chih-tmig, "Made for Hsii-hua Pavilion (the designation of part of the impe- 

 rial palace — that is, for the Emperor) to confer upon" some high officer. 

 Height, 2 inches; diameter, A\ inches. 



170. Vnse of white Yungcheng porcelain. Circular in shape, circumference rising 



straight to one-half the height of vase, when it suddenly contracts to form 

 long, narrow neck. Decoration consists of formal fiowers, peaches, and foli- 

 age in natural colors on light-blue ground, except where three gold circles 

 form as many medallions on the white ground, on which are painted groups 

 of chrysanthennnns and red coleus in natural colors. No mark. Height, 

 8 inches; diameter, 4^ inches. 



171. Pencil-waMher of white Ming porcelain: For details see above, page o71. 

 172-175. Plates (small) of white Ming porcelain: For details see above, page 372. 

 176. Pilgrim-bottle of pure white Chienlung (1736 to 1796) porcelain of wheel shape 



on an ovate foot, with low circular neck attached by foliated handles. 

 Decoration on front and back consists of a central boss bearing a formal 



