Pair of Footed Offering Bowls with Celestial Dragons

These porcelain bowls date to the mid-19th century and were originally used as serving dishes for ritual offerings, placed before a home altar and piled high with fruits, baked goods, and other foods. Each dish features a short footed base and a shallow cartouche-shaped body with a flared lip. The sides are decorated with round medallions of a celestial dragon twisting towards a flaming pearl, an emblem of the sun, of the moon, of balance, and of power. Shaded by iron red and green enamels, the dragon medallions beautifully contrast the crisp white background with a pop of vibrant color.