Ge ware bowl, 1426-1435, Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Xuande period. Porcelain. Gift of Miss Hester Bancroft, 1906, E9054 © 2001-2014 The Peabody Essex Museum.

The crackle pattern as seen on this bowl was first developed by the Ge kiln in the 13th century. By deliberately cracking the glaze during the cooling process, and later highlighting the fissures by staining, the object is artificially endowed with an antique appearance. Whereas this bowl made for the Ming imperial court mimics the earlier falsely-aged pieces, the repair to the lip is a genuine testament to its own six centuries of age.