KANGXI PERIOD (1662-1722)

The design of this bowl draws inspiration from prototypes made during the Chenghua period. These bowls, commonly referred to as 'palace' bowls, are known for their exceptional potting, exquisite craftsmanship, and sophisticated decoration. They featured elaborate floral scrolls as the primary decorative element. The bowls are adorned with various flowers, including the mallow flowers showcased on the present bowl, along with daylilies and lotus. A Chenghua-marked 'palace' bowl with a similar pattern can be found in J. Harrison-Hall, Catalogue of Late Yuan and Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2000, p. 164, no. 6.4. Later in the Ming dynasty and throughout the Qing dynasty, potters aimed to replicate the exceptional potting and quality of painting exhibited in the early-Ming 'palace' bowls, as demonstrated in this successful Kangxi-period version.