Bowl with flowers, one of a pair

Kangxi imperial susancai ware was usually executed with incised and overglaze painted decoration on a white ground, as shown on this bowl. The two incised dragons on the exterior overlap with the painted flowers and butterflies in yellow, green, and lavender. The simple and tasteful hibiscus blossoms were associated with nobility by painters since the Song. The key clue to recognizing later reproductions of the early twentieth century is the opal green, which does not reach the softness of tone found on true Kangxi wares (Geng 1993: 218).