Page 69 - Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art II
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AN ANHUA-DECORATED WHITE-GLAZED STEM BOWL
QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)
The bowl is raised on a slightly spreading stem foot and is incised on
the interior with a Yongle four-character archaistic mark below anhua
decoration of dragons chasing faming pearls amidst clouds on the
sides.
6¿ in. (15.5 cm.) diam.
$4,000-6,000
PROVENANCE:
Michael L. Vermeer, Atlanta, Georgia.
This stem bowl is enhanced by very refned decoration, which does not
detract from its elegant form and subtle, lustrous glaze. The decoration,
known as anhua (‘secret decoration’), which was an innovation of the
Yongle period (1403-1425) and was achieved by incising the design with a
very fne point into the body, beneath the glaze. Such decoration is almost
invisible from a distance, but was intended to be appreciated only by those
fortunate enough to examine the piece at close quarters.
清 白釉暗花雲龍紋高足盌
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