This lianzi [lotus-seed] bowl has deep conical sides which emerge from a very narrow foot ring and curve slightly inwards at the rim. The glazed base rises to a central nipple. Beneath a blue-white glaze it is painted in dark cobalt blue with concentric bands of designs inside. In the centre is a stylized four-petalled flower, surrounded by a band of eight half-flowers formed of dots, with leaves. Around this is a ring of circles woven through with lines which reach trefoil points inside each circle. Above this is a scroll of Chinese pinks with eight blooms. Around the rim is a zigzag line with half-flowers on either side and pendant spearheads below. Outside the foot is painted with classic scroll, and sixteen long thin lotus petals radiate from the foot, each surmounted by a trefoil. Above this a chrysanthemum, peony, pink and lotus are depicted separated by auspicious emblems such as an ingot, rhinoceros horn, branch coral and chimes. The rim is painted with a lotus scroll and pendant trefoils. The glaze is crackled, which may have resulted from a later fire (see BM 1963.0520.1).