Blue and white Qianlong bowl

The bowl is decorated on the outside with harmonious flora designs. We can mainly see the beautiful peony flowers with willow trees. The willow carries out female beauty and kindness. On the center in the inside there is an elegantly painted pomegranate flower.The Chinese fence with rocks on the foreground is a smart move by the decorator: it gives the piece more perspective. Thereby, a peony in combination with rocks especially refers to richness and longevity.

These kinds of wares are particularity produced for the export market. Often these larger bowls are described as ‘punchbowl’. These bowls were not originally intended for serving punch; instead, they were used for a variety of purposes, such as displaying fruits or as decorative centerpieces.

Condition: Mint.

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Batavia Ware

Did you know that the rim of this bowl, that has a brown finishing, can be called a ‘Batavia’ dressed rim? The name of this brown color can be compared to the shade of the surface covering the so-called 18th century ‘Batavia wares’. The term "Batavia ware" is derived from the name of the capital city of the Dutch colonial area and settlement of the Dutch East India Company during 1619-1799. It is not clear why the (on the outside) brown glazed export porcelain refers to the Batavia city, but it is probably just a name the Dutch East India clerks gave it to distinguish the wares on their inventory lists. Originally the brown wash was regularly applied to strengthen the rims or imitate silver/copper bands since about 1630. Although it is a defining feature of the Shunzhi period (1644-1661) porcelain, we almost only see it on the survived 18th century porcelain in the market. The rim is quite common in the first half of the 18th century, but there is no rule for when and on what is occurs.

Reference: Jan-Erik Nilsson