Rare Kangxi Covered Bowl with Immortals and rabbit

Rare Kangxi Covered Bowl with Immortals and Rabbit Motif – Qing Dynasty (1662–1722)

Porcelain | Blue and white underglaze | Width: approx. 23 cm

This fine covered bowl, dating from the Kangxi period, is a remarkable example of early Qing porcelain, delicately painted in underglaze blue. The piece features elegant handles, a domed cover topped with a lion dog (shishi) knop, and a continuous scene of two courtly figures in a stylized garden setting.

What sets this piece apart is the inclusion of a rabbit, sensitively rendered near the foot of the bowl. In Chinese iconography, the rabbit (tuzi) is an auspicious symbol of longevity and renewal, often associated with the Moon and the mythical Jade Rabbit that resides there. Representations of rabbits are rare in Kangxi porcelain, especially in this context, making this bowl a true collector’s item.

The imagery combines natural elegance with literati symbolism—note the gentle pine tree, fenced terrace, and refined figures, possibly immortals or noblemen, engaging in scholarly pursuits.

This bowl demonstrates the Kangxi kiln’s mastery of brush control and narrative composition, with soft cobalt tones, balanced proportions, and refined potting. Both decorative and meditative, it speaks to the high artistic and technical standards of the imperial porcelain tradition.

Provenance: Private Dutch collection
Condition: Excellent, no chips or restorations
Period: Qing Dynasty, Kangxi reign (1662–1722)