Crimson Porcelain Bowl with Dragon and Lotus Petal Designs

The red-glazed bowl has a flared mouth rim, a tapering body, and a foot ring. The mouth rim is left white. The design in gold of two dragons pursuing a pearl decorates the bowl’s interior and exterior. Near the bottom, around the outside, a ring of abstract lotus petals was painted in gold. Now the gold paint has faded away, but the dragon design is still clear. White glaze was applied inside the foot ring.
Compared with red-glazed porcelain ware of the Yongle period (1403-1424), those produced during the Xuande period are characterized by heavier walls and thicker glaze, a darker color and a variety of shapes.
When fired in the kiln, the red-glazed porcelain ware needs a precise temperature. Due to the complicated firing method, crimson porcelain wares are fewer in number after the Xuande period. Scarce as they are, the surviving examples of Yongle and Xuande periods are all masterpieces.