Bowls, ceramic, with molded light relief decoration; large, wide inverted cone shape on very narrow, short foot. Identical molded design on interior of (a-c); small floral scroll surrounds central small medallion containing four characters; four characters read "made [in the era] years of High Virtue" a mark used in the Later Chou Dynasty (954 - 960 A.D.) of the Five Dynasties period (907-959). Narrow key-fret cloud pattern band above. Wide band on side with overall design of flowers with pointed petals and leaves, and 2 small circular medallions with 1 different character within each. The two character read together: Shu-fun "Central Palace" or "Privy Council" a mark sometimes found on Yuan Dynasty (mongol) (1260-1368) wares. Key-fret band above near rim. Thin glaze covers all except foot rims. (a) dull blue; (b) bright blue-green, mottled & glaze crawl; (c) yellow. Many surface flaws, pits etc. Chip on inner rim of (b) Very thin walls, lightweight. Paper sticker on base of (a) reads: "No. 44, made in China". H (a&c) 9.4 cm; H (b) 9cm; Dia (a-c) 24.1cm Ceramic fine grained white clay, turned on mold. Low temp. fired. (a) blue glaze, (b) blue-green, (c) yellow. Fret borders, leaf pattern inside; deep, flared sides; "c" brighter color than "a", glaze more irregular, chip out of inner edge; identical pattern, all three
Donor:
Anita Day Symmes Blake, Anson Stiles Blake, and Design Department (UC Berkeley)