This bowl is hard to date since good Qing dynasty, Kangxi (1662-1722) period pieces actually are very hard to separate from their Ming dynasty, Chenghua (1465-87) counterparts.

Considering the price a genuine Chenghua (1465-87) piece would fetch, it is of outmost importance (to the seller) not to make any mistakes in the attribution. The well-rounded and carefully polished, high foot rim is similar to pieces from both periods. The small "pinholes" in the glaze of the base is more likely to be found on Kangxi pieces, though.

I have therefore concluded that this large, beautiful and well-decorated bowl should be dated to the early part of the Kangxi (1662-1722) period.

An important factor in this is the rim border decoration, which could be said to be typical of the Kangxi period. The cut, or impressed, decoration based on the pattern of woven silk, on the outside, also gained in popularity on the more expensive pieces during the first decades of the 18th century, which strengthens our opinion.

The mark which do reads "Da Ming Chenghua Nian Zhi" (Ming, Chenghua 1465-87 period) are not unusual on Kangxi pieces, and are written in a calligraphic style, that could be recognized from Imperial pieces from the first part of the Kangxi period.

This opinion is based on pictures only. A final decision on age, quality, and authenticity could only be made while handling the actual piece.

Sincerely,
Jan-Erik Nilsson

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