Page:Illustrations of China and Its People vol. IV.pdf/42

 affords an excellent example of landscape painting during the early part of the present dynasty, probably of the reign of Kanghi (a.d. 1662-1722). The next vase to the right, set on a stand of wood, is probably the finest example in the collection, exhibiting flowers of the characteristic blue colour of the Ming dynasty on a pure white ground. The period is indicated by the six characters at the top, Ta Ming chia ching nien chih, i. e. 'Made during the chia ching reign of the great Ming dynasty,' a.d. 1522-1566. A vase of the same character and period occupies the centre of the lower row and is ornamented with the five-clawed imperial dragon surrounded by a pattern of curved lines representing the waves of the sea. To the left is a curious and elaborately ornamented vase : the bowl is perforated work, through the interstices of which is visible an inner concentric bowl covered with delicate painting of the Kienlung (1736-1795) period. The other specimens have their dates inscribed on the under surface in the seal character. The covered tankard with curved handle, in the lower row, shows the influence of Western art during the Kienlung period. To the extreme right of this there is a model of a dagoba commonly erected over graves or relics in Buddhist temples."