Chinese Porcelain Bowl Lady Poem Calligraphy Red Square Mark Republic 20C

Chinese Porcelain Bowl Lady Poem Calligraphy Red Square Mark Republic 20C

ITEM DETAILS

Inventory Code: INV4696

Object: Bowl

Material: Porcelain

Origin: China

Period: Republic Period

Date: Early 20th Century, circa 1900-1930

Decoration: Hand painted famille rose decoration of a seated lady in a flowering garden with poetic calligraphy, artist’s seal, and red square seal mark to the base

Mark: Red square seal mark

MEASUREMENTS

Diameter: 3.5 in / 8.8 cm

Height: 2.3 in / 6.0 cm

CONDITION

GOOD (4/5) – Light age-related wear with minor firing imperfections and light enamel wear consistent with age. No obvious major chips or cracks observed in the photographs. Please review the photos carefully for more details.

DESCRIPTION

A finely painted Chinese porcelain bowl decorated in famille rose enamels with an elegant lady seated in a flowering garden holding a book or fan. The exterior is further decorated with a classical calligraphic inscription and artist’s seal, while the base bears a red square seal mark. The delicate brushwork and refined literati subject are characteristic of Republic period porcelain. An attractive example suitable for collectors of Chinese ceramics and works of art.

CALLIGRAPHY AND TRANSLATION

The inscription appears to be a poetic or auspicious phrase written in classical Chinese. Some characters are obscured by the curvature of the bowl and are not fully legible, so the reading cannot be guaranteed. The visible text is approximately:

歲律更新，咸和樂人，飛天試…

The most legible phrases may be translated as:

歲律更新 – “As the year renews” or “With the renewal of the seasons.”

咸和 – “Universal harmony” or “All in harmony.”

樂人 – “Joy among the people” or “People rejoice.”

飛天 – “Flying to Heaven” or “Celestial flight.”

Overall, the inscription appears to express an auspicious New Year or seasonal blessing rather than a literal narrative, conveying the sentiment:

“With the renewal of the year, may all live in harmony and happiness; may heavenly blessings descend upon the people.”

The accompanying red seal is most likely the artist’s seal rather than part of the inscription.

COLLECTOR’S NOTE

Porcelain produced during the Chinese Republic period frequently combined traditional figure painting with classical poetry and calligraphy in the literati style. Decorative bowls of this type were admired for their elegant craftsmanship and scholarly symbolism, making them desirable additions to collections of Chinese decorative arts.

DATING NOTE

Based on the style of the decoration, calligraphy, and seal mark, the bowl appears consistent with Chinese Republic period porcelain, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1900-1930. The literati-style script and painted decoration reflect the continued revival of traditional scholarly themes during this period. As portions of the inscription are obscured, this assessment should be regarded as an informed opinion rather than a definitive attribution.

NOTES

Please review all photos carefully as they form part of the description.