Chinese Square Lobed Bowl Depicting a Young Woman Playing a Long Flute in a Garden Scene

A flute player sits in her garden, in blue, and the bowl has four scalloped corners to match.

This square lobed bowl depicting a young woman playing a long flute in a garden scene is from China and dates to the early 20th century. It is porcelain with cobalt paint. Blue and white porcelain painted in cobalt is one of the most familiar Chinese ceramic traditions, and scenes of figures in gardens are a long standing subject. The bowl has a square, lobed rim and a low ring foot. One panel shows the seated woman, rocks, bamboo and a fence, while the neighboring panels are filled with diamond lattice. It is 5.75 inches wide and deep and 3 high.

A concert for an audience of rocks and bamboo.