Heavy Bronze or Copper Offering Bowl with Lotus Cloisonné Enamel Pedestal Base

🏺 Heavy Bronze or Copper Offering Bowl with Lotus Cloisonné Enamel Pedestal Base

📌 Item Overview

• Type: Ritual or offering bowl (possibly Buddhist or Taoist)
• Material:
  • Bowl: Heavy bronze or copper (possibly hand-forged or cast)
  • Base: Cloisonné enamel with lotus flower design
• Form: Flared lip, smooth rounded bowl; attached to a wide pedestal with multicolored cloisonné lotus petals
• Size: Appears medium-sized (estimate 5–7" diameter, 4–6" height; please confirm if exact measurements are available)
• Weight: Substantial; appears quite heavy from image
• Condition: Excellent – no visible chips to enamel, metal shows nice patina but not excessive corrosion
• Estimated Age: Early to mid-20th century (possible late Qing to Republic period, c. 1900–1940, based on style and construction)

🔍 Stylistic & Cultural Notes

• Cloisonné Pedestal:
  The lotus motif is a strong indicator of Buddhist ceremonial use. The lotus is symbolic of spiritual purity and enlightenment, and cloisonné is often associated with Chinese religious artifacts from the Ming dynasty onward.
• Construction:
  The pedestal base looks kiln-fired and inlaid with traditional Chinese cloisonné enameling (wire-and-glass technique). The bronze bowl is likely hand-crafted, possibly for temple use (offering water, fruit, or incense), or as a private altar piece.
• Origin:
  Likely Chinese in origin, though similar techniques were used in Tibetan and Mongolian ritual items. The lack of extensive decorative motifs on the bowl itself is typical of utilitarian altar ware.

✅ Authentication Indicators

Positive Signs:

• The patina and metal oxidation suggest age, not a modern reproduction.
• Cloisonné enameling is finely done with distinct lotus petal patterns in bright traditional enamels (turquoise, red, white, yellow).
• Weighted base and heavy bowl are consistent with mid-level to high-quality ceremonial pieces.

No visible modern identifiers like factory stamping or serial marks. If there's a mark on the underside of the base or inside the bowl, that could help further pinpoint date and origin.

💰 Estimated Value

Condition

If Authentic Mid-20th Century

If Late 20th Century Reproduction

Excellent

$250–$450 USD

$75–$150 USD

With provenance

Up to $600 USD

–

Factors that raise value:

• Confirmed temple or monastery origin
• Matching set (used with other cloisonné altar items)
• Old family provenance

🛠️ Selling / Display Suggestions

• Collectors of Asian art, especially Buddhist/Taoist artifacts
• Great for use in a home altar or spiritual space
• Could be marketed under keywords like:
  antique cloisonné altar bowl, Chinese offering bowl, Buddhist ritual bowl, temple water vessel, bronze cloisonné lotus

🔖 Final Notes

• If you'd like, I can help you draft a professional product listing or marketing description.
• You may also want to contact an Asian art expert or auction house (e.g., Bonhams, iGavel, or a local appraiser) for formal valuation if selling at high-end.