Bowl

The bowl is complete. 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 ring-shaped foot. There is a mark printed in blue below the bottom: it consists of a square containing symbols. There are three gold-painted numerals under the base: 241; the decoration is painted on the cover and applied by transfer printed; the painted decoration is gold and the printed decoration is blue with an oriental motif (Two Temples). The printed decoration is visible below the inner edge, on the inner background and on the outer wall. The decoration under the inner rim consists of a complex frieze made up of five different motifs, some of which are repeated alternately. Beneath the rim is a braid made of a row of small pearls in reserve, with a core. This is followed by a band composed of two alternating motifs, separated by a solid band in dark blue adorned with a half-flower and two scrolls in reserve; it is bordered at its base by a latticework with central crosses and itself bordered by a scroll. One of the main motifs is a latticework with central crosses; it is bordered by an acanthus leaf and features a central Chinese motif, the full Ju-i with a small core in reserve. This lattice supports two mirrored Greciques, bordered by a scroll of pearls and a cluster of pearls. The other motif features a hexagonal diamond background with a core bordered by a dark-blue volute, cut at the edge into two half-flowers to accommodate a butterfly with outstretched wings. The butterfly is encircled by two areas with a fish-scale motif and closed by scrolls. The background is decorated with three rocks emerging from the water and arranged in a triangle; curved leafy stems emerge from the central rock. The decoration on the outer wall consists of an oriental scene of islands, two of which are linked by a bridge spanning a river. On one of the islands stand two tiered temples with dark blue roofs, each with an entrance and staircase; in one stands a figure. The temples are surrounded by trees, and tiered rocks lie on the shore. At the rear of the temples is a wall with three sections intersecting at right angles; one section has two open square windows, while the other has a long rectangular window closed by X-shaped crosses. The island borders a river on the right, spanned by a single-arched stone bridge, seen in profile, on which two bald figures stand, following one another. Behind the bridge, the temple island is enclosed by a fence with two angled compartments and a post; the compartments are decorated with a central rectangle. The bridge leads to another island lined with rocks and trees, including a willow tree. In the foreground, a fence crosses the river, with angled compartments decorated with swastikas. The rest of the wall is occupied by two islands with pavilions, a tiered pagoda, trees and rocks. A small boat sails past these islands. The decor is clearly rendered. The junction of the frieze under the inner edge is barely visible. There is gilding on the border, which has largely disappeared, and on the inner wall, which consists of a wide band followed by a line, supporting a row of alternating leafy and non-leafy plant stems.