Bowl with Chinese character for longevity c. 19th century

This 19th-century Chinese bowl, now in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is decorated with a single blue-and-white character for “longevity” at the bottom. This simple yet elegant design highlights the importance of good fortune and longevity in Chinese culture. The bowl's understated design and delicate blue-and-white palette are characteristic of Chinese porcelain of the period. The bowl's small size suggests it might have been used for serving tea or other small dishes.