Blue and white porcelain bowl

Ming dynasty, Chenghua mark and of the period 1465-1487

This 'palace' bowl exemplifies why Chenghua porcelain is often viewed as the summit  of ceramic perfection.  The ware is creamy white, covered with a thin, smooth glaze that is like satin to the touch.  The design is often deceptively simple, as in the present example, the brushstrokes overtly painterly.  There appear to be only 8 other 'palace' bowls painted with the same flower design, inside and out, still in existence.