•114 REPOKT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1900. 



Ch'eii P'ing was of very liumble origin, but his virtue having brought 

 liiiu into prominent notice he rose to high rank. Subsequently, 

 like Chang Liang, he espoused the cause of Liu Pang B. C. 205, and 

 made himself famous on six occasions by master strokes of policy, 

 which greatly aided the succes.sful issue of the contest for the throne. 



Ilan Hsin was a grandson of the Prince of Han, whose territory had 

 been seized by tl)e Ch'in dynasty. He also espoused the cause of 

 Liu Pang, whose armies he commanded. After subjugating princi- 

 pality after principality he was raised to princely rank, but having 

 been accused of high ti-eason his person was seized. He was, how- 

 ever, amnestied and given the government of T'ai-yiian, but again 

 fell under suspicion and was this time executed by the Empress 

 Lii B. C. 196. 



410. Of white porcelain and pear-shaped. On a white ground closely covered with 



peony sprays bearing blue leaves and vermilion flowers and liuds is an im- 

 perial five-clawed dragon, also in vermilion. No mark. 



411. Of white Yungcheng porcelain and of cylindrical shajjc, decorated witli a paint- 



ing in brilliant ])lue under glaze, in the autumn evening (as the accompany- 

 ing inscription states) an old gentleman, followed by attendant holding an 

 umbrella over his head, enters a lamp-hung ferryboat to cross the river. 

 Mark as on No. 85. 



412. Of white porcelain and of pear shape. The ornamentation is of unusual style, 



and seems to show the impress of Japanese influence. On a ground of 

 magenta-vermilion appear medallions of the natural color of the i^orcelain, 

 on one of which is the character xltou (longevity), on another pomegranate 

 fruit, on anotlier a group of pine, bamboo, and plum blossom (symbolical of 

 long life; see No. 181), and on others conventional flowers or diaper patterns. 

 No mark. 



413. Of white unglazed (biscuit) jDorcelain, and of flattened globular shape, bearing 



four-clawed dragons rising from waves and flying through flames and clouds 

 in pursuit of the sun, drawn and shaded in black. No mark. 



414. Of white Chienlung (1736 to 1795) porcelain, and of flat, jar shape. On either 



face, on white ground, sprays of peony, chrysanthemums, and other flowers 

 spring from among rocks, painted in enamel colors. Round the sides and 

 on neck are conventional flowers and scroll-like foliage in vermilion. Mark 

 Chien-lung-nien-cldh, ''Made during reign of Chienlung." 



415. Of white porcelain and of squat jar shajw, covered with thick, black glaze, ex- 



cept on portions where appears the decoration, which is in blue under white 

 glaze, and represents a father's return home. The son runs to meet him, 

 while the wife, seated on a stool, awaits his coming, behind her being a 

 large loom at which she has been working. Broad, flat cover of porcelain 

 in imitation of jade, ornamented with the figure of yin-yang, the Two Pri- 

 mordial Essences (see No. 40). No mark. 



416. Of agate. A life-like representation of a toad with wart-like excrescences all 



over the back. Handle of spoon is of deep-red coral elaborately carved into 

 a bunch of peonies and leaves. 



MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTION OF BRONZES. 



417. Low, open tripod brazier, bearing three long panels, of which the ground is ex- 



cised, leaving Arabic characters in relief. Mark in relief K' (li-yuan-nlen-chih, 

 "Made in the K'ai-yiian period" of the T'ang dynasty, A. D. 713 to 842. 

 Height, 5J^ inches; diameter, lOJ inches. 



418. Jncetise-humer, in shape of a beautifully formed fruit of the "Buddha's hand" 



citron {Citrus sarcoductylus) , hollowed out to hold incense. Beneath, at 



