Shonzhui Covered bowl with the Three Friends design in blue, China, 17th century

Large covered Chinese porcelain bowl decorated with the Three Friends, pine, bamboo, and plum blossoms, painted in an exceptionally luminous cobalt blue. A pomegranate branch with fruit serves as a handle. This type of porcelain with Japonisme decoration was created in China during the 17th century for the Japanese market. Several imperfections are visible in the photos: a chip on the rim of the bowl (previously restored), wide but very thin; the inner rim of the lid is partially missing; and one leaf on the pomegranate branch is broken. This type of porcelain made for Japan during this period is called Shonzui. The example offered here is among the finest creations of its kind, thanks to its emblematic Three Friends design, the precision of the drawings, and the superb quality of the cobalt blue. Transition period or early Kangxi reign, second half of the 17th century. China. 185mm x 140mm.