A small blue and white conical bowl, Tianqi/Chongzhen (1635-1650).
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The bowl stands on a broad foot ring with straight everted sides, decorated in underglaze blue, the interior is of a flower but surrounding this and repeated around the inner rim is a border of spirals with simple five petalled flowers and chrysanthemums. The exterior of the bowl is painted with several vignettes incorporating scholars. One shows a scholar painting characters on a rock observed by a companion; the same character is depicted in a separate scene playing chess with another scholar, and again in the final scene the same two men are painted in conversation, this time one of the scholars is holding a fan. Diameter 10.2 cm.
Retouched fritting, small chip.
Provenance
Property of a private collector.
Purchased at Chiswick Auctions, 16 February 2021.
Exhibitions
A similar pair of bowls, but decorated to the centre with an apocryhal four character Yongle mark are described in 'Catalogue of the late Yuan and Ming Ceramics in the British Museum' by Harrison- Hall, Item No: 12:38 &12:39, both donated by Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks.
Literature
Christian J. A. Jorg; 'A Selection from the Collection of Oriental Ceramics, Item No 44. Page 72. Compare a similar bowl illustrated here.
More information
Cups such as this one, were primarily intended for China.