Rice Grain Porcelain Appraisal

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain 'Rice Grain' Teacup or Small Bowl

This item is a Chinese porcelain teacup or small bowl, characterized by its distinctive 'rice grain' or 'rice eye' pattern. It is primarily white porcelain with extensive blue underglaze decoration. The circular form suggests it is either a teacup (likely without a handle, typical of Asian tea sets) or a small serving bowl. The interior features a central medallion with a stylized floral or botanical motif, rendered in a vibrant cobalt blue. Surrounding this central design is a band of geometric patterns, also in blue, which transitions into the 'rice grain' sections. These sections are semi-translucent, appearing as small, symmetrically arranged holes or voids in the porcelain, which were filled with glaze during firing, creating a translucid effect resembling grains of rice. The rim is edged with a blue band, possibly with a small decorative border. The exterior of the piece, particularly the base, shows a clear blue mark, likely indicating a reign mark or factory mark, though the characters are somewhat blurry. The porcelain appears to be well-fired, indicating good craftsmanship, with a smooth, glossy glaze. There are no immediately visible chips, cracks, or significant repair marks, though the images are not high resolution enough to discern very minute imperfections. The overall aesthetic is consistent with traditional Chinese porcelain, likely from the late 19th or early 20th century given the style and commonality of 'rice grain' ware from that period. The quality seems good, with consistent color application and formation of the 'rice grain' effect.