Late Qing / Republic Period Blue & White “Treasure Ship” Lobed Bowl

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A finely potted late Qing to early Republic period blue and white porcelain bowl in an elegant six-lobed, flower-form silhouette.

… Read more A finely potted late Qing to early Republic period blue and white porcelain bowl in an elegant six-lobed, flower-form silhouette.

At the center sails a classic “Treasure Ship” (宝船) — a deeply auspicious motif in Chinese decorative arts symbolizing prosperity, successful ventures, and the safe return of abundance. The ship’s stylized hull, high masts, and fluttering pennants are beautifully balanced within the intimate interior well.

The interior rim is encircled by bold cobalt ruyi-cloud scrollwork, framing the central medallion with dynamic movement. Along the exterior, hand-painted landscape vignettes unfold — scholar’s hut, distant mountains, figures, and trees rendered in fluid cobalt washes.

The base bears a four-character underglaze blue mark reading:

道光年製
“Made in the Daoguang period.”

While this is likely an apocryphal mark (a respectful nod to an earlier dynasty), the painting style and glaze are consistent with late Qing to early Republic era production (circa 1890–1920). See less