41(') KEPOKT OF JSTATIONAL MUSEUM, 19(R). 



430. Tripoli incense burner uf firciilar yhaije, on low feet. Body ornamented in manner 



similar to last and with similar handles. Cover consists of openwork flowers 

 and foliage surmounted by a lion in relief, all gilt. No mark. Height, 3| 

 inches. 



431. Tripod incense burner of circular shape, on low feet. On body, between two gilt 



lion-head handles, are two panels on which are sculptured in relief and gilt 

 sprays of plum blossom, chrysanthemuuj, etc., and the mythical creatures 

 fenghuam; (see No. 4) and ch'ilin. Cover consists of openwork chrysanthe- 

 mumsand leavessurmounted by alion, all gilt. No mark. Height, 4| inches. 

 Ch'ilin, rli'i being the designation of the male, and lin of the female, is 

 the generic name of one of the four supernatural creatures of Chi- 

 nese tradition. It is described as having the body of a deer, the tail 

 of an ox, and a single horn, and as being the noblest form of animal 

 creation. It is said to attain the age of one thousand years, and to be 

 the emblem of perfect good, its apparition being considered the 

 happy portent of good government or of the birth of virtuous rulers. 

 Nevertheless, the ai^parition of one of these marvelous beasts was 

 considered by Confucius as an omen of approaching evil, so mani- 

 festly inappropriate was it to the disorder of his times; and he con- 

 cluded the history of liis native state of Lu with the record of this 

 event. 



432. Tripod incense burner, of broad, circular shape, on low feet. Round the sides of 



brim and of tall rounded handles runs a Grecian pattern. On body, covered 

 W'ith square diaper pattern, containing in each diaper a flower of five 

 rounded petals, are four panels containing representations inlaid in silver, as 

 is the rest of the ornamentation, of grotesque animals. Mark as on No. 422. 

 Height, 4i inches. 

 433-434. Pencil holders of cylindrical shape, in imitation of basket work, over which 

 are crawling tortoises and frogs, evidently of Japanese manufacture. 



MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTION OF OLD LACQUER WARE. 



435. Box of scalloped circular shape. On top, over ground of dark-green diaper, 

 a landscape in red lacquer carved in relief, Avith a number of children play- 

 ing. The sides are ornamented with a carved diaper pattern, the scallops 

 being red, and deep green, with red centers alternately. This and tw'o fol- 

 lowing numbers are specimens of the celebrated lacquer ware produced at 

 Suchou, in Kiangsu province, during the reigns of Yungcheng and of Chien- 

 lung. Height, If inches; diameter, 31 inches. 



43(5. Box of circular shape and of red color throughout. On a diaper ground are 

 sprays of plum blossom and fruit in high relief, the fruit being diapered like 

 the ground. Height, 2\ inches; diameter, 5| inches. 



437. Snuff bottle, heart shape. On a diaper ground of deep green are sprays of plum 



blossom, Malu.ds and Epidendrum, and longevity fungus in high relief, in red. 

 Height, 2| inches. 



438. Jvori/, representing four segments of bamboo, in the interior of each of which 



is a spray of lotus, of plum blossom, of peony, and of chrysanthemum, 

 respectively, beautifully carved out of a solid block. Admirable specimen of 

 old ivory carving. Length, 2| inches; diameter, 1| inches. 



