(4) Chinese Monochrome Cobalt Blue Bowls. Lot comprised of four Chinese deep cobalt blue porcelain bowls. Marked on base.

Size: 1 3/4 x 8 7/8 x 8 7/8 in.

Chinese cobalt blue porcelain refers to wares decorated with cobalt pigment under a transparent glaze, creating the brilliant blue-and-white effect that became one of China’s most celebrated ceramic traditions. While cobalt was first introduced from Persia during the Tang dynasty (618–907), its use was perfected in the Yuan (1279–1368) and Ming (1368–1644) dynasties, when Jingdezhen kilns mastered the balance of deep, vibrant blues with crisp porcelain bodies. Early cobalt often produced dark, “heaped and piled” spots, which later gave way to smoother tones in the Qing dynasty. Designs ranged from scrolling lotuses and dragons to intricate narrative scenes, reflecting both Chinese aesthetics and the tastes of foreign markets, as these wares were exported widely along trade routes. The cobalt pigment’s brilliance, durability, and adaptability helped establish blue-and-white porcelain as a global luxury and an enduring symbol of Chinese artistry.

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