877 - Square Wucai Bowl with Wanli Mark

Square Wucai Bowl with Wanli Mark China, probably late Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) to early Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). Porcelain with polychrome Wucai decoration. Dimensions: 16.3 × 16.3 × 9 cm. On the underside, a six-character Wanli mark in underglaze blue within a double square frame. Condition: Clear signs of age and wear. Two hairline cracks along the rim. The exterior is decorated on all four sides with one of the Taoist Immortals on each side, accompanied by various mythical and symbolic animals such as the phoenix, deer, snake, qilin, and tiger. In the center of the bowl is a round medallion featuring a five-clawed dragon. The bowl is distinguished by its rare square shape and the high-quality Wucai decoration, one of the most characteristic types of porcelain from the late Ming period. The present Wanli mark refers to one of the most significant eras in Chinese porcelain art, during which Wucai wares reached their zenith. The combination of its unusual shape, figurative decoration, and Wanli mark makes the bowl an attractive collector’s item.