bowl BM-Franks.1

Period:Ming dynasty Production date:1403-1424
Materials:porcelain
Technique:glazed, anhua, incised,
Subjects:dragon
Dimensions:Diameter: 21.80 centimetres Height: 7 centimetres

Description:
Porcelain bowl with incised and anhua decoration beneath a monochrome tianbai glaze. The sides of this delicately potted bowl flare out from a low foot ring. Six V-shaped indentations are made to the rim, suggesting the petals of a flower. Inside, beneath the yellow-tinged white glaze around the sides, is an anhua design of two prancing dragons chasing each other’s tails and separated by ruyi clouds. The five-clawed dragons are depicted in profile but with their heads twisted around to stare at the viewer rather than the dragon they pursue. Incised in the centre is a four-character Yongle reign mark written in seal-script characters. To achieve this thinness of body, the sides have been pared down before glazing. The porcelain is completely translucent and fingers can be seen through its walls when it is picked up.
IMG


Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:This bowl was published by Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks in 1876 and presented to the Museum shortly after it was exhibited at the Bethnal Green Museum in east London. It was described as one of a pair in Franks’ catalogue, but only one bowl was given to the Museum.Another bowl of this bodiless type, also with a Yongle mark, is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.