Early 20th Century Chinese Plum-Blossom Bowl

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Up for sale is a hand-painted Chinese Canton-style porcelain bowl finely decorated with plum-blossom (梅花)* motifs on deep brown (liver-red) … Read more Up for sale is a hand-painted Chinese Canton-style porcelain bowl finely decorated with plum-blossom (梅花)* motifs on deep brown (liver-red) ground, Japanese made porcelain body and designed and painted in Hong Kong according to the mark on the base, early 20th century, good condition
6 in. diameter, 2 3/4 in. high

*One of the most beloved flowers in China, the plum blossoms (méi-huā, 梅花) have been frequently depicted in traditional Chinese arts for centuries. The Chinese see its blossoms as both a symbol of winter as well as a harbinger of spring. It is precisely for this reason that the blossoms are so beloved, as they bloom most vibrantly amidst the winter snow, after most other plants have shed their leaves, and before other flowers appear. They are seen as an example of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Though neither the plum tree nor its blossoms are very striking, they manage to exude an otherworldly exquisiteness and beautiful elegance. The demeanor and character of the plum tree thereby serves as a metaphor for inner beauty and humble display under adverse conditions. Because they blossom in winter, the plum blossom is a member of the “Three Friends of Winter (歲寒三友)”, along with the pine and the bamboo. The plum blossom is also a member of the “Four Gentlemen (四君子)” in Chinese art (the others being orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum), symbolizing nobility. See less