If we except some of the hybrid designs on the export wares which were made for people unfamiliar with Chinese thought, we may assume that there is a meaning in all Chinese decoration apart from its ornamental intention; and this applies not only to the central motives but also as a rule to the subsidiary ornament such as borders and formal patterns. Consequently it is clear that a study of this inner meaning is a necessary condition for the full appreciation of the decorated porcelain. Figure subjects and symbolical ornaments probably require the most explanation for the Western student; but unfortunately the former are often so difficult to identify that we have to be content with general headings such as court scenes, military scenes, dramatic subjects, illustrations of romance, etc. Possibly to the unusually well-read native most of these scenes would recall some known story, but the European can only hope to identify one here and there by a lucky chance. He can, of course, take a book of Chinese legends and by the exercise of a little imagination find a story for every scene; but such methods are not to be recommended, and it is infinitely preferable to give the design no label at all unless the identification is fully established. That at least leaves the question open. [Illustration: Plate 133.--Late _famille rose_ Enamels. Fig. 1.--Bowl painted in soft enamels, attendants of Hsi Wang Mu in boats. Mark, _Shên tè t’ang chih_. Tao Kuang period. Diameter 6⅞ inches. _British Museum._ Fig. 2.--Imperial Fish Bowl with five dragons ascending and descending, borders of wave pattern, _ju-i_ pattern, etc., _famille rose_ enamels. Late eighteenth century. Height 20 inches. _Burdett-Coutts Collection._] [Illustration: Plate 134.--Porcelain Snuff Bottles. Eighteenth Century. _British Museum._ Fig. 1.--Subject from the drama, black ground. Yung Chêng mark. Height 2¾ inches. Fig. 2.--Battle of demons, underglaze blue and red. Mark, _Yung-lo t’ang_. Height 3¾ inches. Fig. 3.--Blue and white “steatitic” ware. Height 2½ inches. Fig. 4.--Crackled cream white _ting_ glaze, pierced casing with pine, bamboo and prunus. Height 3¼ inches. Fig. 5.--“Steatitic” ware with Hundred Antiques design in coloured relief. Chia Ch’ing mark. Height 2½ inches.]