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I'm trying to find out what this bowl might be. It is heavy ceramic and about 8" square and 2 1/4" deep. The features appear to be hand colored and include an American flag and a flag similar to the Swedish flag except the stripe is white rather than yellow. I've searched high and low and haven't found anything similar. Any help would be appreciated. I apologize if the photo of the mark is upside down.

this looks like it is trying to be a piece of Chinese porcelain made for export in the 19th century or so, perhaps showing some of the trading houses in Hong Kong or Canton. Tthe mark reads something like made for the hall of wealth and honor, but the relative size of the characters is quite a bit off. I think this is quite recently made, and to deceive.

This pattern is based on 18th century Chinese Export wares that showed the European Hongs in then Canton, China. Unfortunately this bowl is a modern reproduction using this pattern. I don't consider it as a fake as it's simply a modern piece using and old decorative pattern. Not a piece made to looks old.

You can find more about the Canton Hongs here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteen_Factories

Pyro,

Think you are right, seems clearly to be a depiction of Canton hongs in the 1850s, but am I mistaken reading the maker's mark purely as Japanese 'Fukido sei' (富貴堂製)? Does that also make sense in Chinese?

Guy

Well there are many similar characters used by both languages. I know for a fact that this mark is used by a modern factory. Maybe in China or Japan or some other part of Asia.

Thanks for the link. The picture on the bowl must be the section of factories that included the U.S. and Sweden. Does it make sense that this is a Japanese reproduction of a Chinese subject?

Hi JAYNE
Could it be FINLAND @S flag?

The mark reads 'Fukido sei' (made by Fukido).

Just a guess: could it be the depiction of a Western trading post in Yokohama early 1860's and the bowl an early souvenir from that period...?

Guy

The USA 200th birthday celebration in the early 1970s was accompanied by a wave of reproduction antique porcelain made in 18th century Chinese export styles to satisfy demand for souvenirs. These so-called 'bicentenniel wares' quite often displayed American emblems, as also is the case of this leaf dish with an image of a ship with an Indian head at the bow and flying red, white & blue American type ensigns.

In Chinese Mandarin, the mark on your dish reads down from the right as 'Fu Gui Tang Zhi' (Made for/by the Hall of Riches and Honors). I googled the characters and English transcription to no avail. The mark is not found in Gerald Davison's 'New & Revised Handbook of Marks on Chinese Ceramics' either. This makes me think your bowl is either brand new or an example of the late 20th century US bicentenniel wares.

Best regards,

Bill H.

I think you're right. The quality of the decoration is nearly identical. Mystery solved. Thank you.

Thanks for all your replies and help. I had a feeling it might be a modern piece, but it's still a nice bowl and now I've got some leads on maker and subject matter to follow. I love this forum! It's always very helpful.

Hi,
I happened to acquire a pitcher or jug with the same decoration and identical stamp on the bottom. Just checking if someone has more info on the mark and the circa.
thanks in advance!

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