Bowl

The bowl is complete, with a small crack on the rim. The bowl is circular in shape. In profile, the bowl has a slightly flared wall topped by a straight rim. The lower part of the wall is curved towards the bottom, which is flat. The bowl rests on a solid ring foot. There is a deeply incised ring in the center of the underside of the bottom. There are numerous linear and curved marks on the inner base; the decoration is applied by transfer printed; it is blue in color and oriental in pattern. The printed decoration is visible under the inner rim, on the inner base and on the outer wall. The decoration under the rim consists of a wide frieze made up of a lattice of several rows of crosses in reserve and cells filled with radiating lines, separated by ovals with a central pearl. This latticework is interrupted by four almost rectangular cartouches, edged with scrolls and acanthus leaves, and crossed by a flowery garland; on the garland rests a winged insect seen in profile. This frieze is underlined by a double line at the base. The decoration on the inner background is a leafy rock emerging from a body of water, represented by horizontal lines. The decoration on the outer wall is an oriental scene with islands, pagodas and rocks; two different motifs placed to occupy two opposite areas. One of the islands, hatched, can be identified by its pavilion, pagoda and bridge. The tiered pagoda is located in the center of the island and is bordered by a variety of trees; at their foot are rocks. In front of the pagoda, in an unhatched area, stand two figures facing each other: one standing, the other leaning forward. The island is bordered on the right by a cliff; to its left is a tiered pavilion, which closes an inverted-V-shaped bridge leading to a tree-lined cliff. Under the bridge sails a junk driven by a man with a pole; the water is represented by superimposed horizontal lines. The other island features a central rock, behind which stand two trees bordering a small pavilion, in front of which stands another tree. The island is lined with three rows of aligned, cross-hatched balls. The rendering of the decor is clean. The frieze junction under the inner edge is visible; the motifs on the outer wall have been carelessly cut away.