Qing Dynasty Doucai-enamelled 'Duck and Lotus' Bowl

• Qing Dynasty - The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912. It was established by the Manchu people, who originated from the northeastern region of China. The Qing Dynasty was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China.
• Roundel - A roundel is a circular disk, medallion or border on a plate or dish, on an object of furniture. A plate or dish will often have a central circular bordered decoration, termed a roundel. In furniture the word is often used instead of the word 'patera' to describe a turned circular decoration. In recent times use of the word has expanded to encompass any circular area on an object.
• Jingdezhen Kilns - The Jingdezhen kilns are a series of kilns located in Jingdezhen, a city in the Jiangxi province of China, which have been producing high-quality porcelain since the Han Dynasty (206 BCE?220 CE). The city's location in a valley surrounded by mountains provided it with abundant supplies of high-quality kaolin clay, which is essential for the production of porcelain.
  
  Jingdezhen quickly became one of the most important centres of porcelain production in China, and its porcelain was highly prized by the imperial court and exported to markets throughout Asia and Europe. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE), the kilns began to produce blue-and-white porcelain, which became a hallmark of Jingdezhen porcelain production.
  
  In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE), Jingdezhen porcelain production reached its peak, with the kilns producing a wide range of objects, from bowls and vases to figurines and architectural tiles. The porcelain produced during this time was noted for its fine quality, translucent white body, and delicate decoration. The kilns also developed new decorative techniques, such as the use of overglaze enamels and famille-verte ("green family") decoration.
  
  During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 CE), the Jingdezhen kilns continued to produce porcelain, but the market for porcelain began to shift towards export markets in Europe and the Americas. Jingdezhen porcelain was highly prized by European collectors and royalty, and the kilns produced many objects specifically for export, such as tea sets, dinnerware, and decorative objects.
  
  Today, the Jingdezhen kilns continue to produce porcelain, although the industry has faced challenges from modern manufacturing techniques and competition from other countries. Nevertheless, the city remains an important center of porcelain production and has become a popular destination for tourists interested in traditional Chinese crafts and culture.
• Ming Dynasty - The Ming Dynasty was a ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. It succeeded the Yuan Dynasty and preceded the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was established by Zhu Yuanzhang, a former Buddhist monk who became a rebel leader and eventually overthrew the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, China experienced a period of relative stability and prosperity. The government was centralized and bureaucratic, with the emperor at the top of the hierarchy. The Ming Dynasty is known for its cultural achievements, including the development of porcelain, the invention of movable type printing, and the construction of the Great Wall of China.
  
  

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Chinese antiquities by dynasty - Ming Dynasty 1,266
• Chinese ceramics, dynasty mark or period
  • Chenghua mark 91
  • Doucai 150
  • Jiaqing mark 97
  • various items, Qianlong mark (1736-1795) 501
  • vases, Imperial style 137
• Chinese ceramics, item type - bowls and dishes, other 1,993