490 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1888. 



423, 424. Snuff-bottles of flat oblong shape with beveled coiners. Ou a ground divided 

 by bauds into small squares, each containiug a flower, is a central medallion 

 contaiuiug immortelles. Oruamentation throughout in siiver. Mark as ou 

 last. 



425. Pencil-holder of cylindrical shape, bearing a landscape of river scenery with lofty, 



well- wooded moantains rising on either side, beautifully drawn and inlaid 

 with gold. 



426. Inceuse-burner of open circular shape standing ou three feet. Upon a ground of 



lines of Grecian pattern are four small medallions containing grotesque ani- 

 mals. Round the rim and the tall looped handles rising from it is a wavy 

 pattern in inlaid silver, the ornameutation throughout being similarly inlaid. 

 Mark as ou No. 422. 



427. Vessel (small) formed of a removable cup fitting into a circular body, lined with 



silver and decorated with inlaid work in the same metal. On the cup, on a 

 ground of foliate pattern, confined above and below. by a band of Grecian 

 pattern, are four small medallions containing landscapes. The circular lower 

 portion bears similar decoration. Good specimen. 



428. Tripod incense-burner of circular shape on tall, slender feet; on body and legs a 



wavy, cloud-like pattern in outline; round the sides of rim and of tall 

 rounded handles a baud of Grecian pattern ; ou top of rim a scroll pattern, 

 ornamentation throughout beiug inlaid in silver. Mark Ssu Lou, this being 

 a bona fide specimen of the work of this celebrated artist of the Sung dynasty 

 much prized bj^ Chinese connoisseurs. Height, 4 inches. 



429. Tripod incense-burner of circular shape on low feet, with cover. The body is 



ornamented with very delicately drawn landscapes inlaid with gold, having 

 ou either side a gilt lion-head handle. Cover in open-work resembling a 

 closely-spoked wheel, surmounted by a lion, all gilt. No mark. Height, 

 3f inches. 



430. Tripod incense-burner of circular shape on low feet. Body ornamented in mauner 



similar to last and with similar handles. Cover consists of open-work flowers 

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

 inches. 



431. Tripod incense-burner of circular shape ou 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, chrysanthemum, etc., and the mythical creatures 

 fenghuang (see No. 4) and cli'ilin. Cover consists of open-work chrysanthe- 

 mums and leaves surmounted by a lion, all gilt. No mark. Height, 4J inches. 

 Ch^ilin, chH being the designation of the male, and lin of the female, is 

 the generic name of one of the four supernatural creatures of 

 Chinese tradition. It is described as being 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 jears, 

 and to be the emblem of perfect good, its api>arition being consid- 

 ered the hjippy porteut of good government, or of the birth of virtu- 

 ous rulers. Nevertheless, the apparition of one of these marvelous 

 beasts was considered by Confucius as an omen of approaching evil, 

 so manifestly inappropriate was it to the disorder of his times ; and 

 he concluded the history of his 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 

 with 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, 4| inches. 



