Antique Chinese Bleu de Hue Lotus Pond Bowl Metal Rim Vietnamese Market 26cm

A large and impressive Chinese blue and white porcelain "lotus pond" bowl made for the Vietnamese market, of the type known to collectors as Bleu de Hué. Late 19th century, with the rim mounted in white metal as was customary for Vietnamese-market porcelain of the late Qing period.

"Bleu de Hué" is the term used by collectors for Chinese blue and white porcelain produced for the Vietnamese court and the wider Vietnamese market during the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945). The finest pieces were ordered through diplomatic missions and produced at Jingdezhen to designs specified by Vietnamese patrons; more workaday pieces such as this example were produced at provincial South Chinese kilns for the general market. From the late 19th century onwards it became customary to mount the rim in white metal (tin or pewter) to protect the porcelain against chipping in use - the metal rim has become one of the diagnostic features by which Bleu de Hué is recognised. See the Gotheborg.com glossary entry on Bleu de Hué for further reference.

This bowl is painted entirely in underglaze cobalt blue with a continuous lotus pond scene of stylised lotus blooms, water plants and an insect, with iron-brown highlights to some of the flowers - a characteristic touch of late Qing painting. The exterior foot is encircled by a meandering key-fret border. The base is glazed brown with a reserved white roundel containing a freely brushed mark, a feature typical of the lower-end Vietnamese-market production.

Measuring approximately 26cm in diameter, the bowl displays very well and is in good overall condition for its age - please review all photographs for full detail. The white metal rim mount is intact and original.

A handsome and decorative piece with a clear and well-documented place in the history of East Asian ceramics. UK tracked delivery; collection from Nottingham welcome.