W:15cmA Blue and White Bowl, Chenghua/Hongzhithe rounded exterior decorated with a peony meander between line borders after the style of a Palace bowl, the central medallion to the interior with a flowerhead within a double line border, and the well with a floral scrollProvenance: Nicholas S Pitcher; London Christies's Knightsbridge 1980s来源：Nicholas S Pitcher收藏；伦敦佳士得骑士桥1980年代Masterfully potted with smooth rounded sides, gracefully rising from a tapered foot to a slightly flared rim, superbly painted in characteristic soft tones of cobalt-blue in outlines infilled with wash, the exterior with a gently undulating meander of musk mallow, the four blossoms in full bloom with tender flaring petals, interspersed with star-shaped leaves. The porcelains of the Chenghua period (1465-87) can be considered the epitome of the unceasing efforts of the Jingdezhen potters at the imperial kilns to prove their originality in design and their outstanding craftsmanship. They represent the peak of material refinement and artistry, and are among the most idiosyncratic and distinct creations in terms of their decorative style. What is generally known as ‘palace bowls’ are bowls of fine proportion, painted in underglaze blue with a flower or fruit design of apparent simplicity. The musk-mallow design with its combination of softly rounded, multi-lobed flower petals and contrasting pointed, serrated finger-like leaves is perhaps the most spectacular design among the various palace bowl patterns, many of which have a plain inside. Other bowls of this rare decoration includes two examples from Sotheby's London, 1995, cat. no. 69 and Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8th October 2014, lot 3698.