Enamelled Porcelain Bowl. China, 16th Century.

Hard-paste porcelain bowl with an overglaze glaze in iron red and green. Below, a four-character mark in cobalt blue underglaze. The decoration depicts the eight Chinese Taoist immortals with their attributes. This bowl dates from the Ming Dynasty and its style corresponds to the reigns of the Jiajing or Wanli emperors, who ruled in the 16th century. The mark is not a dynastic mark but rather an auspicious symbol expressing good wishes. The bowl's glaze has been eroded on the surface, as have the enamels, which have lost their luster. This is due to centuries of immersion in seawater. Although the bowl is thus damaged, it remains interesting for its decoration, shape, mark, and great age. Dimensions: 180 x 80 mm