THE CERAMIC ART IN CHINA. 463 



124. Vase (small) of white Yungcheng porcelain. From a low, broad foot the outliae 



slopes without curve to about two-thirds of height and then contracts at an 

 angle of slightly over 90 degrees to form narrow, straight, slender neck. The 

 body is covered with conventional trailing flowers and leaves, confined above 

 and below by a narrow band of geometrical pattern. At junction of neck 

 with body is a smaller band of leaves and flowers, and above another row of 

 flowers between two narrow bands of foliate scroll-work, another band of 

 which runs round the foot, all in deep blue under glaze. Height, 7| inches. 



125. Vase (small) of white porcelain, of delicate shape, somewhat resembling a pear, 



decorated with a group of peonies springing from a mass of rockery, boldly 

 painted in deep blue under a glaze, which has a yellowish tint, owing to the 

 closeness of the crackle {triiite). A good specimen. No mark. Height, 6^ 

 inches. 



126. Wine-pot of white Yungcheng porcelain, cubic in shape, with tall, slender, rect- 



angular handle ; decorated with chrysanthemums and ornate foliage, with 

 a deep band of formal scroll-work at base, and foliate scrolls round the neck. 

 A small flower pattern runs along the outside of the spout and of handle, all 

 in good blue under glaze. Along the sides of the handle runs a Grecian pat- 

 tern, and along those of the spout a floral scroll, molded in relief under 

 glaze. No mark. Height of body, 6J inches to top of handle. 



127. Wine-cup of flue, transparent, white Yungcheng porcelain, bearing five medal- 



lions, each formed by a feng-hivang (see No. 4), with long curved wings, care- 

 fully painted in deep blue under glaze. Mark as on No. 85. Height, 2^ 

 inches ; diameter, 3^ inches. 



128. Vase of pure white Yungcheng porcelain, circular in shape, bellying outwards 



to two-thirds of height, then contracting slightly to form low, open neck at 

 point of contraction. Two. handles, one on either side, formed of grotesque 

 elephants' heads holding a ring in trunk in relief under glaze. Decoration 

 consists of a child leading one water buff'alo, with two others following more 

 or less willingly, among spreading weeping willows, beautifully painted in 

 deep, bright blue under glaze. An admirable specimen. No mark. Height, 

 8i inches ; diameter, 7 inches. 



129. fase of pure white Yungcheng porcelain. In shape a half globe with tall, 



slender, everted neck rising from the center. Decoration consists of one of 

 the Taoist genii (? dao Tsze) in long, flowing yellow robe with white hair and 

 long, crooked stick, accompanied by an attendant standing under a spreading 

 pine close beside dark-green-blue rocks. The pine trunk is delicately shaded 

 in brown, the leaves of deep green, and the figures painted with the delicacy 

 of miniatures. Attached is a metrical inscription to the following effect: 



" Above a sheer abyss crag o'erhangs crag. 

 Whose heads aloft ta purjile distance soar, 



Whose look to mind recalls the five Star-gods 

 Who help'd great Shun to rule in days of yore ; 



And shady glens betwixt form cool retreats 

 Where sages meet to con their mystic lore." 



It is recorded that the "Five Old Men," the spirits of the Five Planets, 

 appeared at Court B. C. 2246, and assisted the Emperor Shun with 

 their counsels till he abdicated in favor of Yii, when they disap- 

 peared. Sh-m then dedicated a temple to the five planets and offered 

 sacrifices in their honor, whereupon "five long stars" appeared in 

 the heavens with other auspicious signs. 



This and the following number are beautiful specimens. The paintings 

 upon them are from the brush of Wang Shih-mei, styleii Yen-k'e, a 

 celebrated artist of the present dynasty. 

 Height, 7 inches; diameter, 4^ inches. 



