Bowl; China, Ming dynasty, Chenghua period, 1465-1487.

Bowl; China, Ming dynasty, Chenghua period, 1465-1487.
Glazed porcelain.
With mark.
Measurements: 8 x 15,5 cm.

Chinese bowl from the Chenghua period decorated with underglaze cobalt blue enamel, with representations of Taoist goddesses on a plain landscape background, also accompanied by cartouches with inscriptions. Inside, a similar motif, with a goddess dressed in floating veils, under two ideograms. Chenghua's reign was marked by peace and stability, a time when porcelain of the highest quality was produced. The paste is very pure and white, and is covered with a glaze with low calcium oxide content, which provides a very special transparency, without bubbles or irregularities. This transparency gives the cobalt blue glaze a smoother appearance than in earlier times. This glaze will now be made only with native cobalt. The most famous pieces of this period are imperial, known as palace bowls, now differentiated by a more open decoration, with more white space. In addition, motifs such as the two parallel lines on the foot will be repeated. The motifs are outlined in dark tones and filled with a more watered-down cobalt, as seen here.