THE CERAMIC ART IN CHINA. 469 



is painted the decoration which consists of conventional flowers and foliage 

 of varied colors outlined in gold. This main decoration is confined at foot 

 l)y a deep border of formal foliated scroll pattern in brick red on a yellow 

 ground, and at base of neck, by a narrow border of same; from which 

 springs a crown of banana leaves of light green veined with gold and ont- 

 lined with blue; above this is a band of conventional flowers and foliage 

 confined by a foliate scroll outlined with blue and gold on a yellow ground. 

 Mark in gold same as on Nos. 186, 187. Height, 13f inches. 



194. Vase of white Chienlung porcelain. Circular in shape curving gently outwards 



till at four-fifths of its height it contracts to form a short neck curving out- 

 wards at brim. On a ground of pea green covered with a foliated pattern 

 engraved in the paste branches of magnolia zulan, red peach-blossom, pe- 

 onies with full-blown flowers of red and of yellow, with vermilion buds, 

 spring from a cluster of rocks on which stands the sacved fenghuang (see No. 

 4), all beautifully painted and shaded in natural colors under brilliant glaze, 

 the greens being enamels. Inside of vessel gold. Mark as in Nos. 186, 187. 

 Height, 19J inches. 



195. Vase, tall, circular in shape. On a pea-green ground covered with a small fo- 



liate pattern incised in the paste is an old man holding a long crooked stick, 

 and dressed in a long vermilion cloak, with a. tall conical cap upon his head, 

 to whom a boy dressed in pink is presenting on bended knee a bat, while 

 four other bats hover in the air, well painted under a brilliant glaze. No 

 mark. Height 14f inches. 



A common motive with Chinese artists is the presentation to LaoTze (sea 

 No. 54), the great philosopher and founder of the Taoist sect, of an 

 immortality peach, by Tung Wang Kung, the consort of the legend- 

 ary Queen of the Fairies, Hsi Wang Mu, or by one of his attend- 

 ants, on the Sage's arrival at her mountain palace in the K'unlun 

 range (see No. 28). The same subject is here depicted, a bat re- 

 placing the peach Since the pronunciation of the character for 

 "bat "is the same as of that for " happiness, " the five bats sym- 

 bolize the " five blessings or happinesses." Lao Tze is receiving the 

 first, "longevity;" the remaining four, riches, peacefulness and se- 

 renity, lovo of virtue, and an end crowning the life, hover over his 

 head. 

 196-201. Wine-cups (6) of white Chienlung porcelain, colored, inside, pale green ; out- 

 side, of deep blue, bleu de roi, on which spread sprays of peony, magnolia yiilan, 

 and grasses delicately painted ia gold, and confined at brim and where cup 

 springs from the foot by a band of Grecian pattern, also in gold. Good spec- 

 imens, well preserved. Mark as on Nos. 186, 187. Height, If; diameter, 2f 

 inches. 

 202,203. Vases (a pair)of pure white Cheinlung porcelain, of shape termed by Chinese 

 hai-t'ang, Cydonia Japonica, and Pyrus spectaMlis or baccifera, slender, gently 

 bulging to two-thirds height, then contracting slightly to neck, everted at 

 mouth, entirely covered with deep blue glaze {bleu de roi) ; divided by flut- 

 ings into four sections throughout, each section or scallop decorated with 

 ornamental scroll-work and peach sprays with conventional medallions formed 

 of longevity fungus, from which spring lotus-flowers, over each of which hov- 

 ers a bat with extended wings (symbol of happiness). Around foot is a deep 

 border formed by a band of flowers supporting a second band of conventional 

 foliate scroll-work. Round the neck is a border partly of geometrical pat- 

 tern, partly of foliate scroll-work; above, in middle panel, a medallion of 

 peach branches with leaves and fruit flanked on sections of side panel, which 

 are formed by a gilt handle similar to conventional scroll-work on body, by 

 narrow spray of similar peach. Round the rim is a narrow band of bats with 



