Bowl Item Number: Edz1414 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

A ceramic bowl that has a steeply rounded form with an everted lip. The white porcelaneous body is grey-brown with iron specks where fired. There is a high foot which has an unglazed foot rim. The base is conical, and glazed. Interior has a floral motif in the centre, sketchily painted underglazed in bright blue, and two blue lines at junction of bottom and wall, one just below lip. Exterior has six separate, freely painted but similar, scrolling leaf, petal and vine motifs in bright underglaze blue evenly distributed around bowl. The thick grey-white glaze has numerous bubbles with iron specks and bare spots and pools into thicker white over painting, greying the blue tone.

History Of Use

The export of Chinese ceramics to Southeast Asia probably was underway by the 10th century. Although intermittently adversely affected by political developments in China, provincial wares not made under supervision for court use still found a ready export market in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Some were designed specifically for that market, others like this ware usually is characterized by an unglazed ring in the interior and a very rough foot: although these are lacking in this example it nevertheless represents a type often designated by the name Swatow.

Item History

What

Name
Bowl
Identification Number
Edz1414
Type of Item
bowl
Material
glaze, paint and clay
Manufacturing Technique
thrown, painted, fired and glazed
Overall
height 6.1 cm, diameter 13.3 cm

Who

Culture
Chinese
Previous Owner
Continental Trading Enterprises Ltd.
Received from
Continental Trading Enterprises Ltd. (Seller) and Fyfe-Smith Memorial Oriental Collection Fund (Funding source)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
China

When

Creation Date
between 1590 and 1644
Ownership Date
before July 26, 1978
Acquisition Date
on July 26, 1978

Other

Item Classes
ceramics
Condition
good
Accession Number
0474/0001