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Hello,

I would appreciate the opinions of the experts about my bowl. It has the Wanli marks and I believe this to be a brush washer. The underside has an almost crystal-like discolouration. There is also some slight discolouration to the interior. It is thickly potted and not quite symetrical.

I do not believe that these brush washers were reproduced or faked, so I am quietly optimistic that it is genuine! Your opinions would be very much valued whatever the case may be.

Kind Regards

Jim

The mark is Xuande rather than Wanli but I think this is of recent manufacture. the floral design is very attractive but the execution of the key frets and the double line inside the base of the interior, for example, are well below imperial standards.

The decoration has a pretty good appearance for late Wanli, but the dirt on bottom and interior are warning signals that it could be a reproduction supposed to 'look' older with added dirt.

Give it a good wash in mild soap and tepid water. Then wash your hands separately before doing anything else. New-made imitations are being soaked in all manner of filth to create that "old" look. But think about it -- why would a brush-washer be so dirty only on the bottom?

Good luck,
Cal

Thanks for both responses. Regarding the discoloration on the base, I refer to the information and photographs in the link below. The base of the washer is very similar to that in the pictures. You will notice the crystal-like growths to which I referred. I am thus a little reluctant to try to wash it off in case it is genuine.
Regards
Jim

URL Title :Picture of Ming bowl with similar base

Should not have 'crystal like growths' if genuine.

Apologize for not actually reading mark, which of course does not indicate when made.

Rat is quite right about relatively poor quality. Maker may have added junk to bottom to disguise that it's all just too new-white.

Good luck,
Cal

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