Chinese Jade Bowl

Smooth white bowl with a wide mouth and a dark edge at the foot.

This jade bowl is from Guangdong Province, China, and dates to the early 20th century. Jade has been prized in China for thousands of years, and carving it into ritual objects, ornaments and vessels is among the country's oldest artistic traditions. Seen here, a broad, shallow bowl with thick walls and a rounded rim, standing on a small foot ring whose base shows a dark band. The glaze is milky and even, with soft shadows inside the curve. It is 1.5 inches high and 3.5 in diameter.

Modest in color, generous in curve.