15th Century Blue and White Bowl
Rare

Early Ming - with Sanskrit Characters

15.24 (6") centimeters diameter, 7 (2.7") centimeters height
Good Condition

The exterior motif shows 8 lotus blooms with tri-foil leaves connected by a continuous scrolling vine. An alternating classic scroll borders the outer lip. Bordering the foot are 10 freely drawn lotus panels with tri-foil motif. The alternating (broken) style of the classic scroll border is a sign of very early design, such as Hongwu or Yongle, versus the more connecting, calligraphic style of Xuande and later reigns. Though early Ming, this one piece has many of the design traits of Yuan decoration.

The interior motif has a full diamond trellis-diaper band bordering the lip.  Just below are six furled lotus blooms with traditional tri-foil leaves on a continuous scrolling vine.  Above each bloom is a single Sanskrit character. Within a double ring, the center decoration has six panels, each also containing a single Sanskrit character. This is one of the rarest bowls in my collection because of the rich mix in decoration. Having both trellis-diaper and classic scroll, the early tri-foil style of both the leaves and panels, and especially the 12 Sanskrit characters.

One small hairline crack of 3 cm visible as well as 2 small repairs to the rim. Several small areas of iron oxide discoloration show where the glaze was either thin, or void when fired.

Click on thumbnail for a full image view.

Using macro, the lower right image captures the lighting in a manner to show centuries of wear.

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