Pre 1740 Under Glaze Blue Bowl

This is an early slop / waste bowl made by Meissen in the 18th century around 1735. There are a few pieces from this design in the Hans Syz Collection in the Smithonian museum and a bowl in the British museum. This design more than likely still has its origins in the 1720s but since Meissen has issues with their under glaze blue color until the 1730s this would be a very early example of this type of design. While this mark was also used around 1765 the flaws to the paste and no impressed number show it is the earlier version of this mark used in the mid 1730s. The shape of the bowl comes partially from silver shapes of this period with its resemblance to the lotus flower which could often be found on Chinese and Japanese prototypes the factory worked. The design looks very much like Chinese Kangxi period pieces whioch is what they strived for in terms of the quality of under glaze blue decoration. The rim of the bowl has ian indented edge and the broad lobes on the lower part are painted with alternating patterns of flowers and stylized insects. The bottom of the inside has an under glaze blue painted birds sitting in a flowering tree - an early version fo the Fels und Vogel pattern by the looks of it. The outside has alternating panels of a Chiense fisherman and a bird sitting in a tree with a scale patterns in between. It's an amazing piece and in amazing condition - there is no later damage or restoration but there are firing flaws common to these very early wares. A firing crack to the inside bottom, a a firing flaw to the inside wall where some paste contamination burned away and a few firing cracks to the edge mostly under the glaze which shows they happened when it was made. As nice as you will find. The piece is 3.5 inches tall and 6.5 inches in diameter at the top. Underside has a double blue line trim to the inside edge of the foot ring. It is marked with the under glaze blue crossed swords mark with a dot in between the bottom and a blue painter's letter M. Please email me for more information or other pictures.