bowl

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Object Type
Museum number: Franks.346.+
Description: Porcelain bowl with 'kraak'-type underglaze blue decoration. This deep moulded bowl has lobed sides and a flat everted rim with upturned bracket-lobed edge and a high straight foot. Inside, in a central medallion, a scholar-official is depicted, sitting on a cliff overlooking water at night, with a full moon and stellar constellation in the sky. He is wearing a typical black gauze cap with 'wings' and a long loose robe with a frontal rank badge. Beside him on the table is a 'hu'-shaped vase containing coral and a book, and beyond this are two wine jars and a food basket. Radiating from this scene are eight panels with 'ruyi' heads and tassels, alternating with panels showing peony, pomegranate, butterfly and possibly hollyhock, peony, peach, peach, butterfly and possibly gardenia. The outside is similarly arranged with eight panels with 'ruyi' heads and tassels, alternating with scenes of a lady in a garden; a gnarled willow tree; a lady in a garden; bamboo; a lady in a garden; a banana tree; a lady holding a fan in a garden; a screen and table with a book, a 'penjing' [miniature plant pot in a landscape] and a vase containing coral.
Cultures/periods: Ming dynasty; Wanli (probably)
Production date: 1573-1620 (circa)
Production place: Made in: Jingdezhen
Findspot: Found/Acquired: China
Materials
Technique: glazed; moulded; underglazed
Dimensions: Diameter: 21.50 centimetres; Height: 9.50 centimetres
Bibliographic references
Location: Not on display
Subjects: astronomy; landscape; scholar
Acquisition name
Acquisition date: 1890
Department: Asia
Registration number: Franks.346.+
Additional IDs: Miscellaneous number: 1890; Miscellaneous number: AF
Conservation

Free entry

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