AN UNUSUAL CLOISONNE ENAMEL DOMED ‘LOTUS’ BOWL, MING DYNASTY, 16TH CENTURY

The bronze bowl with gilt rims and cloisonneenamels in white, imperial-blue, lemon-yellow, iron-red, turquoise and purple

China, 16th century

Standing on a small, flat, circular foot, the semi-spherical vessel unusually designed with a sprawling mouth, decorated throughout with scrolling designs of lotus and flowers on an imperial-blue ground, below a border of ruyi-shaped clouds, the foot circled by a lappet border. The inside is enameled with a wavy pattern on a white ground. The base is incised with a single character shou surrounded by flying bats.

Shape: Domed vessel
Weight: 154 grams
Dimensions: 11,5 cm diameter
Fair original condition with no restorations whatsoever, small dents to the gilt lip, the enameling with a few open bubbles, some manufacturing flaws including crazing, minor enamel loss and stress lines, old wear, overall still as expected for an authentic Ming cloisonnepiece, the base possibly a later addition
Provenance: United Kingdom private collection

Auction result comparison: ASIAN ART. Bonham’s, 11 Sep 2014, LONDON, lot 155. (for another domed Ming cloisonnevessel)

稀有明代景泰藍蓮花碗，16世紀
銅胎掐絲琺瑯，碗緣鎏金
中國，16世紀
品相與年代相符，無修補，底部可能為後人添加
英國私人收藏