MING DYNASTY, LATE 15TH CENTURY

Of the published blue and white warming or hot water bowls, all seem to be dated to the late 15th century. Each is different in its decoration, some with figural decoration, others with floral, and sometimes, as with the present example, with seemingly unrelated decoration on the sides and warming surface. Two in the Percival David Foundation are illustrated by M. Medley in the Catalogue, London, 1976, Section 3, pl. VI, no. A623 and pl. IV, no. 696. Like the present bowl, the exterior of the first is encircled by lotus scroll, but the decoration on the interior is of fish dragons amidst water weeds, while the other bowl has figural scenes allover. Another example with figural decoration in the Victoria and Albert Museum is illustrated by R. Kerr, Chinese Art and Design, London, 1991, p. 23, and one in the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco is illustrated by D. Lion-Goldschmidt, Ming Porcelain, New York, 1978, p. 101, pls. 67 and 67a. An example from the Falk Collection, sold in these rooms 20 September 2001, lot 138, has lily meander around the sides, while the interior is painted with a dense design of a lingzhi sprig surrounded by florets, babao, flower sprigs and tiny clouds.