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I'm posting this in the hope that someone will be able to translate the script on the bottom of the bowl, but I'm afraid it's so worn that might not be possible. Anyway, any and all help appreciated.

The bowl is blue and white, rather simple within the bowl, more intriguing imagery on the bottom (including a bat and several elders engaged in a debate.) Size is 8 inches across, in very nice condition. I've appended the best photos I can get, including of the script on the bottom, and will be grateful for any and all help.

This dish and its mark are of the 'People's Porcelain Factory at Jingdezhen' (ren-min ci-chang Jing-de-zhen - 人民瓷厂景德鎮). The mark likely came into existence after the proclamation of the People's Republic of China in October 1949, and this particular dish probably dates to circa the late 1950s or subsequently, after the PRC had begun implementing the use of simplified characters (e.g., 厂 instead of 廠 for chang/factory).

According to gotheborg.com, this factory has been associated with the 'Wutong' brand of blue & white wares in the well-known 'Willow' pattern. A 2016 book by Maris Boyd Gillette indicates it won a number of awards between 1974-1984. Another book by Helen Wang and published in 2008 indicates that during the Cultural Revolution, another People's Porcelain Factory was operating in Dehua, Fujian Province and engaged in the production of Chairman Mao Badges.

Here's a somewhat earlier mark, which was shown previously in the forum, as well as the plate that bears it. The principal difference is that its top line is all standard characters, while the bottom line, as in the case of yours, is written in seal-script forms.

Best regards,

Bill H.

RenMin CiChang Jing de Zhen 人民瓷厂 景德鎮

Peoples ceramic factory, Jing De Zhen

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