re reproduction in
it. It did not matter in the least to them if a flower in one of their
pictures was sometimes larger than a man; or a boat many sizes bigger
than the bridge beneath which it sailed. They were making a sort of
fairyland decoration where anything they pleased was possible; it was
not a world of fact. As a result they got an imaginative quality in
their decoration which none of our more prosaic and literal western
nations have ever equaled."

Mr. Croyden took a pull at his pipe.

"Much of their design was symbolic, and much of the coloring they used
had a national significance. For example, the Dragon was a symbol of
empire and power; the Dog, a sacred animal, was often used; but it was
no ordinary dog. Instead it had great teeth, a curling mane, and claws
like a lion. A Chinese artist would have scorned to copy a real dog,
for that would not have been considered art; nor would a picture of
any living type of dog be half as imposing as was this imaginary
creature with its fierce teeth, mane, and claws. Sometimes the
_Kylin_, a sort of stag with a dragon's head, and a symbol of
good-fortune, was used. There were many other of these symbolic
designs employed to enhance the beauty of Chinese porcelains, and of
course to the Chinese each one had its meaning."

"It is an interesting idea, isn't it?" Theo said slowly.

"Very; and makes much of our own art seem pitifully thin. And when you
consider that the colors the Chinese used also had their meaning, as
did various geometric forms introduced, you can readily see how much
one must study to understand Chinese--and for that matter, Japanese
art; for the Japanese used much the same methods in decorating their
potteries and porcelains, although of course their symbolism
varied. With the Chinese green and vermilion were colors sacred to the
wall decorations of Emperors' houses; red typified fire; black, water;
green, wood; white, metal. Fire was also sometimes represented by a
circle, and the earth by a square. All this I tell you that you may
see how much thought went into everything they did. In addition
certain objects were made for especial purposes, and decorated in
accordance with their use. There were drinking cups for poets,
authors, and government officials, each cup having an appropriate
picture in the bottom. Then there were incense-burners, vases, bowls,
and vessels for libations at ceremonials; there were, too, statues of
the various gods. Besid