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Hi everyone, I have a pair of very small bowls or cups, they are very delicate and well painted. There also is a mark on the bottom.

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you.

William

Mark is Chenghua, but they are probably later. Otherwise you would be rich ...

Porcelain with this kind of enamel decoration is referred to as doucai (joined colors). It started in Ming Chenghua reign but was copied also in the 18th century, often with a Chenghua mark. The enamels on your bowls as well as the footrim look like those on 18th century porcelain. Being that so many excellent fakes are being made these day, I would recommend evaluation by an reputable dealer or auction house.

Hello Robert,

thank you for the Information on the cups and technique. I will take your advise and contact a reputable auction house.

Thank you.

William

Your cups have a form of the 'Chilong' or 'immature' dragon that I've seen in use on Japanese wares, including this pair of small sake-type cups in a five-color motif with apocryphal Chenghua markings, which also are similar to those on your doucai wares. In addition to the style of dragon, I became convinced that mine probably are Japanese because the biscuit has a granularity to it that I associate more with Japanese clay than Chinese. I must agree that your cups look a bit more Chinese in painting and potting, but thought I'd share these observations in case yours might reveal any of the same characteristics on closer inspection.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Hello William,

The creature on your cup is likely a makara. The makara originates from Hindu mythology and is described as front part land and back part aquatic. It is usually depicted on Chinese ceramics with a short body, two legs and an elaborately scrolled tail, spitting flowers or strings of pearls from its mouth. The makara and the Chinese kui long or chilong are very similar. The makara is found on Chinese ceramics of the Middle Ming periods and subsequent and sometimes on Japanese ceramics.

Here is a makara on a middle Ming bowl.

Hello Walter,

thank you for this great input on the subject, it is greatly appreciated. I have looked myself for similar wine Cups and found very few with this exact decoration. So it will be great to find out more.

Kind regards,

William

Hi William,

Sorry, I can't help with tea bowls, but here are more makara, all on Middle Ming blue and white wares.

another Ming bowl

Hello Bill,

thank you very much for sharing this information and the pictures. It is indeed very interesting that your cups could be Japanese. It was confirmed that mine are Chinese and I will find out more in the next few weeks.

Kind regards,

William

Here's another set of images from a Japanese 4.5 inch bowl with similar decoration, though this example is more like the Chinese doucai palette. The impressed mark in the cartouche on the base appears to read down in seal script as the surname and place name 'Kitamine' (北峯), literally 'North Peak'. Have been unable as of yet to link the name to a specific kiln or area. I have three bowls with the mark, two in this palette and another in blue & white. All were acquired about five years ago from the estate of a gentleman who'd worked in Japan with the occupation forces.

I appreciate Walter's reminder about the Makara. They're encountered often in Southeast Asian Buddhist temple architecture as well.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thank you for the all the examples on different bowls. It will be interesting to find out exactly what the cups are.

William

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