Chinese Floral Offering Bowl, c. 1850

This colorful porcelain bowl dates to the mid-19th century and was originally used as a serving dish for ritual offerings, placed before a home altar and piled high with fruit, baked goods, and other foods. The dish has a shallow cartouche-shaped body and a short footed base decorated with crashing waves. Decorated in the famille rose style, the dish is painted with overglaze enamels with a scene of three mythical figures surrounded by cloud-like ribbons. The scene is bordered by butterflies and flowers symbolizing the four seasons - peonies for spring, lotus for summer, chrysanthemums for autumn, and plum blossoms for winter. The exterior is painted with ripe peaches, symbols of longevity, and bats carrying interlocking golden coins...

During the 18th century, Europeans provided an eager market for Chinese export porcelain, especially the colorful and fanciful ware known as “famille rose.” Named for a palette of op...