15th Century Blue and White Bowl

Early Ming - Xuande style

15.5 centimeters diameter, 7 centimeters height
Fair Condition

The exterior motif shows ten lotus blooms with tri-foil leaves connected by a continuous scrolling vine. A half diamond trellis-diaper border circles the outer lip.

The interior motif has a full diamond trellis-diaper border with seven lotus blooms with traditional tri-foil leaves on a continuous scrolling vine. Within a double ring, the center decoration is a lotus pond. The scene shows two lotus blooms flanked on both sides with two stylistic male and female ducks. This center motif design is common to late 14th century Yuan and early Ming Hongwu.  There is a hair-line crack visible to the lip. Age cracks to the glaze are visible in many areas.

The crack to the base is an age crack, not a firing crack. Several small areas of iron oxide discoloration show where the glaze was either thin, or void all together. Wear and discoloration visible from much use.

Though the motif and especially the diamond trellis-diaper border are common to late 14th century, this overall design is classic Xuande in all respects.  Though unmarked, it is most probably from the period.

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