CERAMIC ART IN CHINA. 397 



221. Pencil-holder of pure white porcelain, of broad circular shape. Consists of beau- 



tifully molded openwork representing a bamboo grove strewn with rocks 

 partially covered with stone crop, on one of which is a "painted " thrush 

 al)ont one-half natural size. The bandioo stalks are of pale green enamel, 

 the tibers at joints shaded in brown, leaves of emerald merging into i)eacock 

 green; rucks light green, delicately shaded into blue at hollows and under 

 parts; thrush very delicately painted in brown, shaded with darker tint of 

 same, every feather being defined. An exceptionally line specimen. Mark 

 fi'i-chv-xlian-faug-clu'ii-tx^ani/: "The precious treasure of the house of green 

 bamboo hill." Height. H inches; diameter, 5| inches. (See Plate 9.) 



222. Penrll-hulder of white Chienlung porcelain. Tall, cylindrical in shape. Formed 



of sections of slight bamboos kept in place by a ribbon at top and another at 

 base, passing through the center of the bamboos and tied in bows. Painted 

 in gray, well shaded in black under rich glaze. No mark. Height, 4| 

 inches; diameter, 2| inches. 



223. Hanyhig-vase of pure white (^hienlung porcelain. From well-molded stand of 



(hdl vermilion, with rectangular supports re])resenting a carved wood stand, 

 springs the elliptical shaped vase with short, bulging neck. The body of the 

 vase consists of a deep magenta ground, on which are conventional flowers 

 of alternate blue, violet, and yellow, shaded with deeper tones of same 

 colors, and scroll-like foliage of deep green at center, passing into lightest 

 green or white at the edges. In center" is a scallop-edged panel, bearing in 

 large old-seal characters a poem composed by the Emperor and bearing his 

 seal. Mark beneath foot as on No. 186. Height. 10 inches; diameter, 2^ 

 and 8 1 inches. 



224. 225. ./rn-x (a pair), with covers, of white Chienlung porcelain. (Tlobular in shape. 



On a bright yellow ground are four groups of growing plants of white lotus 

 tipped with pink, of white plum ])lossoms with pink centers, of white and 

 pink j)eonies, and' of white and pink lotus flowers and green leaves, the out- 

 lines and veining of which are engraved in the paste, contined above and 

 below by bands of panel and foliate scroll patterns combining the .same col- 

 ors as those used upon the flowers — green, white, and pink. Over the 

 mouth is a close-fitting cover ornamented with two butterflies and two 

 sprays of plum blossom on the same deep yellow ground — all covered with 

 a brilliant .ransi)arent glaze. No mark. Height, lOJ inches. 



226. Vdfte of white Chienlung porcelain, shaped as a gourd contracted at middle 



(liiihi). Entirely covered with an elaborate design of trailing gourds (of 

 same shape as vase) with conventional scroll-like leaves and bats outlined 

 in gold and shaded partly in gold and partly in silver upon a dull olive 

 green or "tea dust" {ch'(i-mo) ground. A very rare specimen. Mark as on 

 No. 186. Height, 8 inches. (See Plate 13.) 



227. Pencil holder of white Chienlung porcelain, of slender, cylindrical shape. The 



philosopher Lao Tsze, on his way to the palace of the Fairy Queen, Hsi Wang 

 Mu (see No. 28), is represented soaring upon a cloud, arranging his shoe. 

 In the distance is the moinitain palace of the fairies, with the Queen's azure- 

 winged attendant birds {ch'inrj niao), all beautifully moulded in high relief 

 under a brilliant, deep yellow glaze. No mark. Height, 5 inches; diameter, 

 I5 inches. 

 228-233. 117?;^ cwp.s (6) of white porcelain, plain inside. Nos. 228, 230, 231, 233 are 

 studded with small, conventional, star-like flowers, circular in shape, of 

 various colors delicately shaded, on a celadon ground. Nos. 229 and 232 

 bear the same flowers, but outlined and shaded in gold on a dull black 

 ground. No mark. Height, 1| inches; diameter 2| inches. 



