Blue and White Bowl with Fu Characters and Bees, Qing Dynasty

PP-0129

Description

A small blue and white porcelain bowl with deep rounded sides on a straight foot. The outside is painted in a bright, slightly violet blue with three panels, each enclosing the character 福 (fu, good fortune) surrounded by four stylised bees, with striped bodies and pointed tails. Between the panels, plants with long looping leaves are drawn in quick, continuous strokes.

Inside, a band of small stylised motifs circles the rim, and two blue rings frame a central medallion of plant sprigs. The base is glazed within the foot ring, and no mark is visible. There is a cracked line that can be seen from inside and outside.