CERAMIC ART IN CHINA. 407 



corresiHinding cups, whirh doubtless at one time l)eli)n^eil to tlie same 

 owner, were purchased from among unclaimed goods in a Peking pawnslioi). 

 Curiously, however, the seal attached to the inscription on tlie cups, though 

 evidently by the same hand as is that on the tea-pot, differs from the seal 

 on the latter. Height, If inches; diameter, 2^ inches. (See Plate 18.) 

 333, 334. Vases (a pair) of pure white Chienlung porcelain, of flattened globular 

 shape, with slender neck representing half total height, and everte<l brim, 

 covered with brilliant vitreous glaze, on which the decoration is i>ainted. 

 Around the foot is a band of light blue ornamenteil with delicate foliate 

 scroll in violet. Above the band runs another l)and of jianel ornamentation 

 in carmine edged with dull green, which with a band below neck of con- 

 ventional dragons, alternately green and pink, on a magenta ground, in- 

 close the boily of the vase. This, on a dee\) blue ground, ornamented with 

 conventional clouds of yellow, green, blue, and red, and bats of pink shailed 

 with carmine, and of yellow shaded with orange, bears four medallions with 

 pure white ground of dazzling brilliancy, containing groups of flowers most 

 delic-ately painted— peonies and bamboos; lilies, longevity fimgus, and red- 

 seeded heavenly bamboo (XaudiHu domextica), lilies and poppies, and yellow 

 hibiscus and green and red coleus. At foot of neck is a 1)and of orange, the 

 neck itself being of lemon yellow ornamented with conventional flowers and 

 foliage in many colors, confined below by a band of foliated pattern in 1)lue, 

 shaded with deeper tones of the same color, and above by a similar band, 

 outlined with a dotted border of blue, in carmine and shaded with the latter 

 color, the decoration ending in a narrow border of pale yellow pattern out- 

 lined with black. The colors are subdued in tone, producing a very rich and 

 harmonious effect. Mark as on No. 324. Height, 7^ inches. (See Plate 21. ) 



335. Boirl (small), with slightly everted brim, of thin white Chienlung porcelain cov- 



ered with brilliant vitreous glaze. On a pale lemon yellow ground are large 

 conventional peonies, of which the outer petals are of magenta purple and 

 the inner petals of blue, having a magenta center, with buds of same colors, 

 ami leaves of various shades of green. Inside plain. ^Nlark as on So. 324. 

 Height, 2f inches; diameter, 4-1 inches. 



336. I'nse ot pure white Chienlung porcelain covered with brilliant transparent vit- 



. reous glaze. Of very graceful shape, resembling a much-flattened bulb with 

 long tapering neck which represents three-fifths of total height. Ornamented 

 with beautifully drawn red roses, yellow orchids (Maldxis and Epidendnnn) 

 with leaves of deep green to former and of delicate grass green to latter. In 

 this case at least the delicate transjiarency so admired on the real vitreous 

 ware has been attained. Appended is the following inscription, .sealed with 

 the author's nam de plumt : that is, his favorite designation: "The four sea- 

 sons changed to an everlasting spring," "The perfect man of pure and 

 world-wide fame. ' ' 



As flow'rs imprison'd hold each eve 



In lovintr clasfi the sweet moon's rays. 

 So man, by loving flow'rs. each year 

 Surelv prolongs his length of da vs. 



(See Plate lit.) 

 * * * -X- •::■ -::■ * 



337. T'^.v (small) of white Chiach'ing (1796 to 1820) porcelain, in shape of a gourd 



contracted in the middle. On either side is a medallion formed l)y the char- 

 acter shoit (longevity) on the lower swelling, and on the upper is a grotestjue 

 winged bat, with two three-clawed dragons curling from top and encircling 

 the lower (shou character) medallion. The dragons have foliated flames 

 springing from their sides. The decoration, which is well drawn ami shaded 

 in deep blue under glaze, is complete*! by a band of CJrecian pattern round 



