18th Century Islamic Magic Bowl from China

A porcelain magic bowl for the Islamic Market, China, late 18th Century 14.0 cm diam., Made in the Fujian province and exported through the port of Swatow, or Shantou, these types of wares were made exclusively for the Islamic world. The 'magic square' in the centre is divided into sixteen squares containing numbers from 41 to 56, arranged so that every line in each direction adds up to the same total - 194. The concentric inscriptions, usually extracts from the Quran, such as 'There is no man like Ali', together with the magic square, are said to have healing power. However, the calligraphy and the artistic imagination of Chinese craftsmen can render the design difficult to understand at times. For two similarly decorated bowls, see Bonhams London, Islamic and Indian Art including Sikh Treasures and Arts of the Punjab, 23 Oct 2018, Sale 24626, Lot 57, and Islamic and Indian Art Including The Lion and the Sun, Art from Qajar Persia, 30 Apr 2019, Sale 25434, Lot 44 Bibliography: Michel Beurdeley, and Guy Raindre, Qing Porcelain: famille Verte, famille rose, Thames and Hudson, London, 1987, p. 229-230