Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Dragon Bowl – Black Ground with Turquoise Interior & Flaming Pearl Description A striking Chinese cloisonné enamel bowl decorated with a magnificent polychrome dragon pursuing the traditional flaming pearl, set against an intricately decorated black ground. The exterior is exceptionally colourful, with the dragon rendered in vivid yellow, green, turquoise, white and red enamels. Surrounding the dragon is an elaborate network of traditional stylised cloud motifs worked in fine metallic cloisonné wire. The interior is finished in a brilliant turquoise-blue enamel, contrasting beautifully with the predominantly black exterior. The bowl has a copper-coloured metal rim and a raised circular foot. The dragon chasing the flaming pearl is one of the best-known motifs in Chinese decorative art, traditionally associated with power, good fortune, prosperity and the pursuit of wisdom. The construction and decoration are characteristic of Chinese cloisonné enamelware, produced by forming fine metal wires on a metal body and filling the resulting cells with coloured vitreous enamel before firing and polishing. Object Chinese cloisonné enamel bowl / stem bowl Origin: China Technique: Cloisonné enamel on metal Decoration: Dragon pursuing flaming pearl, clouds and traditional decorative motifs Interior: Turquoise enamel Ground: Black enamel Rim: Copper-coloured metal Foot: Raised circular foot Maker's mark: None apparent Period: 20th century, exact date uncertain Condition Good overall condition for its age, with the expected signs of age and previous use. There is visible surface wear and minor imperfections to the enamel and metalwork, particularly when examined closely. The photographs should be considered an important part of the condition description. Please study all photographs carefully before bidding. Collector's Note This is an attractive example of Chinese cloisonné, particularly because of the unusually vivid colour combination of black, turquoise, yellow, green and red and the continuous dragon decoration around the vessel. It would make an excellent addition to a collection of Chinese decorative arts, cloisonné, Asian art or oriental metalwork. Please note: although vessels of this form can have had practical, decorative or ritual uses, the precise original purpose of this particular example cannot be established from the object alone. It is therefore offered as a Chinese cloisonné decorative/stem bowl, rather than being described speculatively as a water vessel or incense burner.