Antique Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Bowl Lotus Scroll Iron Red Mark 5"W

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Bowl: Lotus Scroll with Iron-Red Seal Mark, Late Qing to Republic

China, late Qing to early Republic period (circa early 1900's)

This is a Chinese blue and white porcelain bowl painted with a dense interlocking lotus scroll (chánzhī lián) over the exterior, accented with small iron-red vignettes of archaic bronze vessels in the bogu (博古) tradition set between the scrollwork. The interior rim carries a matching lotus scroll border. An iron-red seal mark is set within the recessed foot ring on the base.

The pairing of underglaze cobalt blue with overglaze iron red was a popular, cost-effective alternative to true polychrome enamels in late Qing and early Republic wares, and iron-red seal marks of this style, distinct from earlier reign marks, were widely used by workshops and retailers rather than the imperial kilns. The bogu motif, small painted images of ancient ritual bronzes and scholar's objects, signaled refinement and classical erudition for the educated household.

Form: Chinese blue and white porcelain footed bowl
Construction or Decoration: Underglaze cobalt blue lotus scroll with overglaze iron-red bogu (archaic bronze) vignettes; iron-red seal mark to base
Mark: Iron-red seal mark within double square border, base
Period: Late Qing to early Republic period (circa late 19th to early 20th century)
Dimensions: ~5″ diameter (13 cm)
Weight:
Condition: Glaze intact with no visible chips or cracks; minor kiln grit/specks in the glaze, consistent with period manufacture.