Ming Dynasty blue and white bowl dating to the mid fifteenth century.

The bowl is decorated in a deep blue tone of cobalt blue showing a distinct heaped and piled effect.   It has floral scrolls around the outside and a floral spray in the well.  It was made for export to Southeast Asia and is a genuine example of a fifteenth century trade ceramic.  The decoration in the well is identical to that found on a shard in an interregnum period shipwreck of about 1450 indicating this bowl is around the same age and hence, very rare.

Size: 15.0 cm diameter,  6.2 high.

It is in good condition with some age crazing of the glaze and a tiny chip in the glaze at the mouthrim.  There is also an area around the mouthrim where the glaze has slipped, during firing, leaving some areas unglazed.  Please see the third photo.  These kinds of flaws are normally expected in trade ceramics of this age.  Any Ming dynasty ceramic item offered in perfect condition with no wear and a reign mark on the base should be viewed with suspicion.

We do not sell fakes or copy ceramics or try to pass off copies as stunning originals.  We make every effort to research the age of the products offered.  This item is guaranteed to be of the period stated.  If it is found otherwise we will provide a full refund of the purchase price and postage.

We value our customers and do not seek to make any profit on packing and shipping costs.  If our shipping costs seem high it's because the prices charged by the local postal services are high, partly due to the weakness in the US dollar.  As a courtesy and incentive we will combine shipping on multiple items and only charge for the item with the highest shipping cost.