QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)

Details

AN ANHUA-DECORATED WHITE-GLAZED STEM BOWL
QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)
The bowl is raised on a slightly spreading stem foot and is incised on the interior with a Yongle four-character archaistic mark below anhua decoration of dragons chasing flaming pearls amidst clouds on the sides.
6 1/8 in. (15.5 cm.) diam.

Provenance

Michael L. Vermeer, Atlanta, Georgia.

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve.

Lot Essay

This stem bowl is enhanced by very refined decoration, which does not detract from its elegant form and subtle, lustrous glaze. The decoration, known as anhua (‘secret decoration’), which was an innovation of the Yongle period (1403-1425) and was achieved by incising the design with a very fine point into the body, beneath the glaze. Such decoration is almost invisible from a distance, but was intended to be appreciated only by those fortunate enough to examine the piece at close quarters.

More from Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art

View All