How do I date a tea bowl?

Dating relies on examining the potting style, glaze characteristics, and decorative palette such as famille rose or cobalt underglaze. Period marks, when present, offer additional chronological context. Material composition, including soft-paste porcelain or celadon surfaces, helps align pieces with known manufacturing eras from the Song dynasty onward.

What is export porcelain?

Export porcelain refers to ceramics manufactured specifically for markets outside China, particularly Europe, during the Qing dynasty. These pieces often blend traditional Chinese forms with decorative motifs tailored to foreign tastes. Some examples received additional enamelling in Europe, creating distinct hybrid styles like Amsterdam Bont.

How were tea bowls used?

Tea bowls functioned as drinking vessels for prepared tea leaves, designed to be held comfortably in the hands without handles. Their open forms allowed drinkers to appreciate the colour and aroma of the brew. Many forms were paired with saucers or stands, serving both practical dining purposes and display within household collections.

What does celadon mean?

Celadon describes a type of ceramic glaze known for its grey-green or pale green colour resembling jade. The shade results from iron oxide reacting within a reduction firing atmosphere. This glaze often highlights carved or incised patterns beneath the surface, creating depth through pooling in the carved lines.