Famille Rose Bowl with Floral Arrangements

During the 18th century, Europeans provided an eager market for Chinese export porcelain, especially the colorful and fanciful ware known as “famille rose.” Named for a palette of opaque overglaze enamels that favored roses and pinks, famille rose porcelain ware was crafted with the same technical virtuosity as imperial porcelain but designed for Western tastes.

Dated to the early 20th century, this large porcelain bowl is a wonderful example of the intricate painted linework characteristic of famille rose ware. The base of the bowl features an arrangement of precious scholars' objects and auspicious symbols, including a ruyi scepter, a handscroll, and rhinoceros horns. The sides of the bowl are painted with two magpies perched upon a rock surrounded by peonies, symbols of love and affection. When presented as a pair, magpies offer blessings of good fortune and martial happiness. Decorated in a pastel palette against a field of crisp white, this grand bowl makes for a fantastic centerpiece or serving bowl.

From the collection of Frances and Gary Comer.