Lot 145: A Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Bowl with Arabic Inscription, Zhengde Mark

A Chinese blue and white porcelain bowl, bearing an underglaze blue six-character Zhengde reign mark (1506-1521) to the base. The bowl features a scalloped, foliate rim and is intricately decorated in underglaze blue on a white ground. The interior center is adorned with a square cartouche containing Arabic script, identified as the *Surat al-Ikhlas* from the Quran, which translates to "Say, He is Allah, [who is] One; Allah, the Eternal Refuge; He neither begets nor is born; Nor is there to Him any equivalent." Surrounding this central cartouche, and on the exterior walls, are alternating panels of scrolling floral/foliate motifs and geometric patterns within diamond-shaped cartouches. The base reveals an unglazed footrim.

D: Approximately 21.5cm