QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)

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.