| Decorated with depictions of alternating vertical medallions of lingzhi mushrooms entwined by prunus flowers and medallions of lilies, with a predominance of lime green colored enamels depicting each scene, the body rising up to an everted and foliated rim outlined in guild, the interior white except for the cavieto painted with a bat resting on sprays of leaves holding a peach and a prunus flower, the foot rim encircled with a double band of underglaze blue, the bottom with a six character Jiaqing mark in underglaze blue and of the period. 5 1/4 in.
Provenance: Chait Gallery of Chinese Art, New York
It is unusual to find a Jiaqing bowl with this decoration and we have been unable to find another example published. The depictions themselves are unusual, with the pattern being alternating florals within vertical lines rather than depictions of such florals either encircling the bowl or in enclosed horizontal medallions. The predominant use of lime green enamels which give the bowls almost a doucai appearance is also rare, as is the subject matter which is primarily lingzhi or sacred mushrooms. Generally lingzhi mushrooms appear individually within a floral group rather than being the predominant subject matter. The manner of decoration as well as the calligraphy of the Jiaqing mark suggest that the pair of bowls was made at the request of a ranking official within the Court for his own use or as a gift to someone.
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