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Hi,

I just bought this tea bowl and was wondering if the mark is Kangxi and if you think it is from the period or later?

Thanks

Your bowl is Canton export ware in the willow pattern with what I've seen called a "straight line" variation on the usual rain border. The classic Canton blue & white pattern first appeared around the first quarter of the 19th century and went on to become one of the most popular Chinese exports for the next hundred years. As best can be told, the "jade" mark on your bowl was in use in one form or another for the duration of the Qing dynasty, often in combination with other characters. It hasn't escaped reuse in modern times either.

I believe your bowl probably dates to around the late 19th century, insofar as cups with the same "straight-line" variation on the rain border began appearing about that time in combination with trembleuse trays in the standard Canton pattern. Here are a couple of pictures of such a cup, about 3.5 inches in diameter, from my archival collection. It also exhibits a thinly molded handle of a type that was starting to appear circa the end of the century. The last picture is of a pair of 7.5 inch standard Canton blue & white plates with the classic rain border. These came from the late and well-known Pennsylvania dealer James Galley, who estimated them to date to about 1830.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thanks Bill for the thorough explanation and images. I have only seen transfer printed willow patterns before and is so nice that you pointed out its origin, backed up with images. This really illustrates the point fantastically! Thank you so much!

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