Chinese blue and white bowl, Wanli (1573-1619)

Chinese blue and white bowl, Wanli (1573-1619), decorated to either side with a blossoming jardiniere of peony in moonlight, the rim with two concentric lines in underglaze blue, the interior with a further peony spray, the base with four character ‘wan fu you tong’ mark.

Diameter: 11.7cm. (4 5/8in.)

Condition: Chip with old restoration, one hairline, slight nibbling to rim, losses to foot and glaze faults to base and inner rim.

Notes: Peonies have been grown for use in traditional Chinese medicine for millennia, and the Chinese characters for peony (‘mu-dan’) can translate to ‘healing’. From the Tang period, thousands of monographs were written on the cultivation of peonies, many aspects of which involved superstitious practices and waiting for a particular phase of the moon. The seeds of certain peonies appear to emit a pale light in the darkness, and according to old Chinese superstition, powerful forces reside in peony blossoms which cause the flower heads to glow on the night of a full moon. Such portrayals of peony heads in moonlight are therefore an auspicious symbol of healing and magic.

Dimensions

Price on application

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

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