This octagonal bowl resembles a class of ordinary quality porcelains that were produced in large numbers during the second half of the 19th century. The thickly potted body is covered with glutinous enamel glazes, producing a marked 'orange peel' effect. Despite a certain crudity of execution, there is a vigour in both potting and painting that made these wares popular both at home and among overseas Chinese. Bowls like this, acquired by the V&A as early as 1853, are the ancestors of the brash, attractive tablewares used in many Chinese restaurants today.
Physical description
Porcelain bowl, octagonal, sea-green inside, blue outside, with flowers and ornaments in yellow and red.
Place of Origin
China (made)
Date
ca. 1850 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown
Materials and Techniques
Porcelain, painted with coloured enamels
Marks and inscriptions
'da qing dao guang nian zhi' in irron red on base
Dimensions
Diameter: 14.6 cm
Descriptive line
Octagonal bowl, porcelain decorated in enamels with the reign period mark of Daoguang, ca.1850, Chinese.
Materials
Porcelain
Categories
Ceramics
Collection
East Asia Collection