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Antique Early 1900s Export Yellow and Turquoise Ceramic Serving Bowl

Antique Early 1900s Export Yellow and Turquoise Ceramic Serving Bowl

$275.00Price

Early 1900s classic yellow and turquoise lotus-shaped, scalloped serving bowl.


Chinese Export Famille-Rose Yellow-Ground Bowl with Turquoise Interior


Late Qing to Early Republic Period, circa 1890–1920 Porcelain with overglaze enamels, likely produced in Jingdezhen


Description

A Chinese porcelain bowl of lotus-form profile, the body rising from a short foot and expanding outward to a gently flared rim molded into subtle lobes resembling lotus petals. The exterior is richly decorated in the famille-rose palette with stylized floral motifs and scrolling foliage against a vibrant yellow ground.


The interior is covered in a luminous turquoise glaze, a copper-based enamel frequently used on Qing decorative wares. The glaze pools slightly toward the center of the bowl and shows natural kiln speckling and faint crackle typical of older turquoise-glazed interiors.


The underside bears a small “CHINA” export mark, indicating manufacture for overseas markets in the late Qing or early Republic period.


Shape and Form

The bowl’s form is best described as lotus-petal or lotus-flower shaped.


Key features include:

  • Lobed rim – the rim undulates in gentle curves resembling the outer petals of a lotus flower.

  • Petal segmentation – the body subtly follows the same petal divisions down toward the foot.

  • Shallow floral basin – the bowl opens widely, giving the impression of a lotus blossom opening upward.

This type of form is called a lotus-petal rim bowl


The lotus motif is one of the most important symbols in Chinese decorative arts, representing purity, harmony, and renewal, and appears frequently on porcelains intended for domestic serving vessels and ceremonial tableware.


Decoration

The exterior decoration consists of:

  • stylized lotus blossoms and floral sprays

  • dense scrolling vine patterns across the yellow ground

  • accents in pink, turquoise, and cobalt blue enamel


This style of decoration belongs to the famille-rose tradition, where colored enamels are painted over the glazed porcelain and fired again at lower temperatures.


Date

Late Qing dynasty to early Republic period Approximately 1890–1920

Dating indicators include:

  • turquoise interior glaze typical of Qing decorative wares

  • export “CHINA” mark on the base

  • overglaze famille-rose enamel decoration

  • slightly heavier porcelain body consistent with export production


Function

The form and size suggest use as:

  • a serving bowl for sweets or fruit

  • a presentation bowl for desserts or confections

  • possibly part of a larger table service


Condition

Good antique condition with:

  • light wear to the foot rim from age and use

  • minor kiln speckling within the turquoise glaze

  • no obvious structural damage


Provenance

Private family collection, reportedly acquired through a family import/export business dealing in Chinese goods in the early twentieth century, and preserved within the family since acquisition.


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