Large Chinese Blue and White Bowl, Kangxi (1662-1722)

Ref: W517

Archive item - not for sale

Large Chinese blue and white bowl, Kangxi (1662-1722), of moulded form with bracketed rim, decorated in underglaze blue with ten petal-shaped panels containing chrysanthemum, cherry blossom, peony and prunus all emerging from rockwork with flying insects, ten further radiating panels containing the same flowers; the interior with a central roundel containing birds and snowball chrysanthemum issuing from rockwork, the edges with four flowering boughs and perching birds, the rim with four bracketed cartouches containing the four respective flowers against a cell diaper.

Dimensions:

Diameter: 33.5cm. (13 1/4in.)

Condition:

Fritting and 'hair-cracks'

Notes:

Although the flowers of the four seasons are commonly understood to be chrysanthemum (autumn), prunus (winter), peony (spring) and lotus/iris (summer), it was common for artists to substitute flower types to a certain degree. The unfolding of the four seasons is a celebrated theme in Chinese art, and seasonal flowers are used to represent the passing of time.