The bowl is decorated in the Chenghua “palace” bowl style, but is shallower, with a central boss painted with a floral medallion. A garland of hibiscus-type flowers circles the bowl both inside and out. The base has an apocryphal Xuande six-character mark within a double circle.

Palace bowls were often copied in the 18th century. Earlier imitations are more unusual, though the Percival David Foundation have an example they date to the Wanli period.

Literature: Anthony du Boulay, The Duberly Collection of Chinese Art at Winchester College (Winchester, 2019), p. 38

Provenance: Bequeathed as part of the Duberly Collection, 1978; purchased by Major Montagu and Lady Eileen Duberly from S.L. Moss, 24 June 1958 (£18)

Location: Treasury, Gallery 2