Bowl with figures in an interior and trees near rocks c. 1680 - 1720

This is a Chinese bowl decorated in underglaze blue, now held at the Rijksmuseum. The decoration provides us with a glimpse into a moment of domestic life, as figures gather in an interior. The colour and style of decoration are significant cultural references. Blue and white porcelain gained prominence during the Yuan Dynasty, becoming a major export. The patterns often featured traditional motifs like dragons, phoenixes, and floral patterns. However, we can also read social meaning into images of everyday life. In a society governed by strict social hierarchy, scenes of ordinary people offered a subtle form of social commentary. The bowl reflects a tension in Chinese art between tradition and social observation, and how these are valued is dependent on the cultural values of the time. By researching similar artifacts and consulting historical records, we can better understand how this bowl functioned within its original social and cultural context.