Fig. 105.—From Mr. Wales’s Collection.
But in all this work there is no imitation, no absolute copying of the flower, the bud, the landscape, the lady.
The Chinese were fond of a symbolic or fabulous decoration. The engraving ([Fig. 106]) pictures a conflict going on between the spirits or demons of the water and the air; it is most free and effective. This vase belongs to the collection of Mrs. Burlingame.
I saw in England a small blue vase, at Mr. Talbert’s, upon which was shown the Trinity (three figures) in a sort of balcony in the sky; beneath them was a sea of fire, out of which appeared the dragon or devil spitting venom at the Godhead, one of which was warding it off with a drawn sword. It was curious, if not true, and showed their notions of European beliefs, obtained, no doubt, from the early missionaries.
The Dog of Fo is one of the sacred symbolic animals, and was placed at the thresholds of temples to defend them from harm.
