Dimension: 9.4cmDiameter, 5.9cmHeight

Description:

An extremely rare and well potted underglaze red “palm-pressed” palace bowl painted with floral scroll with foliage with a band of ruyi-shaped scroll below the mouth rim and a ring of lotus panels above the foot with double lines. The internal has a central four characters “yong le nian chi” of Yongle reign Ming dynasty with three encircling floral emblems and double circle lines below the mouth rim leaving the internal sides undecorated, covered overall with transparent glaze except the foot rim showing fine off white paste with kiln grit.

Underglaze red is made from copper oxide which acts as a red colorant to the glaze. However, firing under wood fired kiln is exteremely difficult due to very limited range for successful turnout often turning black or dissipated losing its color if overfiring or underfiring. During Yuan dynasty and early Ming Hongwu period, potters have tried to different techniques to control the spreading of the copper red into the surrounding glaze as seen in this example. Refer to “Chinese Glazes” by Nigel Wood for more comprehension.

Do refer to a similar piece ED291 with lotus themed painting.

Provenance: Acquired from a 80-year old fisherman collector in West Java.