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Pair of Bowls

Early 18th century (possibly Yongzheng era, 1723-1735)

China, Jiangxi Province

Porcelain painted with overglaze enamels (Jingdezhen ware)

Each, H. 2 1/2 x Diam. 5 1/2 in. (6.4 x 14 cm)

Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.187.1

Porcelains with exquisite paintings combined with a poem, such as this pair of bowls, are often termed gu yue xuan or "old moon pavilion"-style wares. Both bowls are decorated with paintings of pink, lilac, green, and yellow peonies growing from blue rocks. Two small insects hover over the flowers. While the general shape and thickness of the bowls are characteristic of the Yongzheng era, the style of painting is somewhat rigid. This stiffness of the painting suggests that it may have been applied to the bowls after their production, possibly during the Qianlong era (1736 - 1795) or after.