Vintage Decorative Japanese Ceramic and Brass Bowl

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Description

This vintage bowl is a small, jewel-like piece of hand-painted porcelain framed in a polished brass rim. The shallow, round … Read more This vintage bowl is a small, jewel-like piece of hand-painted porcelain framed in a polished brass rim. The shallow, round dish has softly sloping sides and a smooth, glossy glaze in a pale celadon-tinged white. Across the interior, a lively scene is painted in iron-red and soft coral. Five children play in a garden. One boy in the center flies a diamond-shaped kite on a long, looping string, while a second child carries a lotus-leaf parasol, and two more tumble together on the left. In the foreground, another child waves a pennant as a companion swings a feathered toy. Pierced scholar’s rocks, twisted pine boughs, scrolling clouds, bamboo, and tufts of grass fill the background. The linework is fine and confident, with washes of lighter orange that give the figures’ robes pattern and depth. The brass band encircles the lip in a smooth, slender ring with a warm, mellow patina in antique gold. The monochrome red palette against the cool white ground gives the piece a graphic, storybook charm.

Small and decorative, this bowl suits a desk, console, bookshelf, or vanity, where it can hold rings, coins, or keys, or stand upright on a small easel as a display piece. It complements Chinoiserie, Asian Modern, Traditional, Eclectic, and Hollywood Regency interiors. The bowl measures 5.75 inches (146 mm) wide, 5.75 inches (146 mm) deep, and 1.25 inches (32 mm) high. Condition is very good: the ceramic is intact with vibrant painted decoration and no visible chips or cracks, and the brass rim shows a gentle patina consistent with age. For care, dust with a soft dry cloth, wipe gently with a barely damp cloth, and avoid abrasive cleaners and brass polish near the glaze. Inquire today to add this charming piece to your collection. See less