Rare 9" antique Chinese Shiwan kiln pottery bowl with distinctive Shiwan "light blue fish-roe" and "eel yellow" monochrome glazes with mold pressed floral motif. Made, city of Foshan, Guangdong Province, Southern China, 1890 to 1919. Marked "China", the earliest export stamp.

Utilitarian Shiwan pottery from 1890-1919 is relatively rare and significantly more challenging to collect because potters focused on the artistic and sculptural aspects of figurines, rather than the functional aspects of utilitarian ware.
The rarity of utilitarian Shiwan pottery can also be attributed to the fragility of daily-use items, and a lower perceived value at the time, leading to less careful preservation. Museums and collectors have historically focused more on the artistic or decorative aspects of Shiwan ware, overlooking and undervaluing simple, utilitarian pieces.