Four Bowl Shadow Box Wall Art

Description:
A decorative shadow box-style wall art featuring four small hand-painted porcelain bowls with blue Chinese calligraphy, each set against a textured light green mat. The frame is wood with minimal surface wear and a clean, finished back. The overall appearance is elegant and symmetrical, suitable for wall display in traditional or modern decor settings.

Category:
Asian Decorative Arts – Framed Ceramics

Materials & Construction:

• Bowls: Likely porcelain with blue underglaze hand-painted Chinese calligraphy, exhibiting crackle glaze (a deliberate fine surface crack pattern, often used to imitate age or for aesthetic effect).
• Frame: Wood frame (brown tone), custom-cut with glass cover, green fabric matting, and window cutouts to feature each bowl.
• Mounting: Professionally shadow-boxed with precision alignment.

Age/Origin:

• Likely a late 20th century to early 21st century decorative piece.
• The bowls may be modern reproductions of traditional Chinese scholar’s bowls, sometimes styled with phrases of good luck, longevity, or poetic references. The crackle finish is a decorative aging technique rather than a sign of true antique provenance.
• The style of calligraphy and glaze resembles items found in Chinese export gift shops or modern Chinese home decor manufacturers.

Condition:

• Bowls: Mint, no visible chips, cracks, or wear.
• Mat & Glass: Clean and in excellent condition.
• Frame: Minor touch-up work on small nicks, otherwise good.
• Back: Fully intact, suggesting careful handling or limited display history.

Provenance:
Acquired from a thrift store for $10. No additional historical documentation is available.

Estimated Retail Value (Decorative Market):

• $60 – $120 USD
  • Value assumes it is decorative art and not antique Chinese porcelain.
  • Price reflects the quality of framing, visual appeal, and craftsmanship involved in mounting.
  • Would likely be sold at this value in a home decor shop, Asian gift store, or mid-level auction.

Translation of Characters on Each Bowl

Top Bowl

Characters:

• Top: 白頭 (bái tóu) – “White head”
• Bottom: 偕老 (xié lǎo) – “Grow old together”
• Center: 喜 (xǐ) – “Happiness” or “Double Happiness” (wedding symbol)

Meaning:
“May you grow old together in happiness.”
This is a classic wedding blessing in Chinese culture, wishing a couple lifelong unity.

Second Bowl

Characters:

• Top: 福壽 (fú shòu) – “Fortune and longevity”
• Bottom: 康寧 (kāng níng) – “Health and peace”
• Center: 樂 (lè) – “Joy” or “Happiness”

Meaning:
A common blessing for a long, peaceful, and joyful life, often used for elders or as general well-wishes.

Third Bowl

Characters:

• Top: 香積 (xiāng jī) – “Fragrant accumulation” (refers to spiritual merit or offerings)
• Bottom: 福慧 (fú huì) – “Blessing and wisdom”
• Center: 善 (shàn) – “Virtue” or “Goodness”

Meaning:
A Buddhist-inspired blessing emphasizing spiritual cultivation, wisdom, and kindness.

Bottom Bowl

Characters:

• Top: 吉祥 (jí xiáng) – “Auspiciousness” or “Good fortune”
• Bottom: 如意 (rú yì) – “As you wish”
• Center: 寶 (bǎo) – “Treasure” or “Precious”

Meaning:
A very traditional phrase used to convey wishes for luck, wealth, and fulfillment of desires.

Recommendation:

• No professional appraisal is necessary unless you have reason to believe the bowls are older than they appear (e.g., family history, unique markings on back).
• If you wish to know more about the calligraphy or symbolic meaning, a Chinese scholar or antiques appraisercould provide a translation and symbolic interpretation, especially if some characters refer to dynasties, famous idioms, or spiritual blessings.