Sold Ceramics

2011362

Sold Ceramics - Sold Polychrome wares other since 1722 - Page 3

Object 2011362

Covered bowl

China

c.1780

Height including the cover 84 mm (4.65 inch), height excluding the cover 58 mm (3.46 inch), diameter of rim bowl 120 mm (1.30 inch), diameter of footring bowl 61 mm (1.61 inch), diameter of ring knob cover 120 mm (1.30 inch), diameter of mouthrim cover 110 mm (1.61 inch)

Bowl on footring, narrow spreading rim, domed cover with ring knob. Decorated in overglaze blue enamel and gold. On the outside of the bowl a blue enamel border with floral scrolls in gold. On the bottom a stylized border on the inner wall a border with Persian/Arabic writing/script and round the rim a blue enamel border with floral scrolls in gold. On the rim of the cover a blue enamel border with floral scrolls in gold. On top inside the ring knob a central roundel with Persian/Arabic writing/script, surrounded by a border of half circles. On the underside of the cover a wide border filled with Persian/Arabic writing/script,

Persian/Arabic writing/script was first introduced to Chinese porcelain in the fifteenth century. These kinds of writings on an object, often can be explained as a blessing or conveying some meaning. Considering the place used, this covered bowl was most likely made for the Middle East market and it is highly possible that the writing is conveying a religious message/blessing.

Porcelain with Arabic inscriptions was made for the Islamic market or for the flourishing Muslim trading communities in South China in the early 16th century. (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, p.36)

Fuchs II & Impey show a similar shaped and decorated covered bowl and dish, decorated with ayahs (verses) from the Qur'an (Koran), these were made for the Islamic market. The Chinese began trading with the middle East as early as the 10th century and designed and decorated porcelain specifically with that market in mind. Among the forms were large platters and bowls suitable for the communal banquets favoured in that region; the decoration consisted mainly of floral designs and calligraphy, as Islamic law forbid the portrayal of human forms. (Fuchs & Howard 2005, p.91)

For a similarly shaped and decorated covered bowl, please see:

Made in China. Porcelain from the Leo and Doris Hodroff Collection at Winterthur (R.W. Fuchs II & D.S. Howard, Winterthur 2005), p.91, cat. 52.

Condition: A firing flaw, a fleabite and a frit to the rim of the cover.

References:

Gordon 1977, cat. 41.

Jörg & Van Campen 1997, cat. 11.

Mudge 2000, p.188,

Fuchs & Howard 2005, cat. 52.

Price: Sold.

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