Xuande Marked Ming Blue and White Stem Bowl with Phoenix & Interlocking Lotus Scroll, Xuande Reign of Ming Dynasty, Early 15th Century

拍品描述

Dimensions: 15.5 cm (6.10 inches) in diameter, 10 cm (3.94 inches) in height. Condition and Provenance: This bowl is in perfect condition, without cracks, defects, glaze peeling, or signs of repair. The porcelain body and glaze are tightly bonded, with a soft and elegant celadon white glaze. The cobalt blue pigment is rich and even, with natural rust spots on the phoenix feathers, a typical characteristic of imported cobalt blue ore from the Xuande period. The phoenix and lotus patterns on the exterior of the bowl are smooth and clear, with a complete composition and no wear or pigment bleeding. The small lotus patterns on the tall, hollow handle are complete and clear. The bottom of the handle is unglazed, with dry clay and natural firing rust marks. The center of the bowl bears a six-character Xuande reign mark, the characters are neat and regular, surrounded by a double blue circle, consistent with the style of official Ming dynasty calligraphy. The rim of the bowl is uniform. This stemmed bowl was originally an antique collected by a collector in China. It was exported from Hong Kong in the 1990s through an antique dealer and is now owned by a private collector of Ming Dynasty imperial porcelain in Los Angeles, California. Description: This stemmed bowl is a Ming Dynasty Xuande imperial blue-and-white porcelain piece, used in Ming court ceremonies. A well-preserved stemmed bowl with original phoenix decoration and the same reign mark is extremely rare on the world antique market. The bowl has a classic shape, with a wide, flared rim, a smooth, curved body, and a hollow, tall handle, exhibiting a balanced and elegant proportion with flowing lines. The bowl is painted with a cobalt blue glaze imported from the Middle East, presenting a deep navy blue color, adorned with natural silver rust spots—a most distinctive feature of Xuande blue-and-white porcelain. This phoenix crown bowl is decorated with layered, intricate phoenix feathers and flowing tails, paired with blooming lotus flowers, symbolizing marital bliss, nobility, elegance, wealth, and prosperity, embodying timeless traditional Chinese virtues. The bowl's handle is surrounded by delicate lotus patterns, the upper and lower sections seamlessly integrated and complementing each other. The six-character reign mark in the center is encircled by double concentric blue circles, the calligraphy vigorous and powerful, conforming to the official standards of the Xuande imperial kilns. The exposed clay foot reveals the rough, dry kiln clay, bearing natural rust and fine pits—typical characteristics of early Ming dynasty imperial porcelain. The production process of Xuande imperial blue-and-white porcelain was extremely rigorous, resulting in a limited number of surviving pieces. This phoenix crown bowl, blending exquisite imperial ceramic craftsmanship with profound traditional Chinese symbolism, is one of the most coveted Ming dynasty porcelain treasures for collectors on the American West Coast. It is ideally suited for permanent display in private court museums and high-end Oriental antique galleries throughout North America.

图片