OKS 1984-67, Dish

 
Objectnumber
OKS 1984-67
Style/decoration
Underglaze blue
Material
Porcelain
Dynasty
MING; QING
Country
China
Period
c. 1643
Dimensions
diameter 29,5 cm
Institution
Princessehof Leeuwarden
Description

Dish with a flared, lobed rim. In a central, bracketed medallion edged by various diapers, two phoenixes among clouds. On the well and the rim, treated as a single space, eight ogival panels with peaches alternating with flower sprays and lingzhi fungus, divided by narrow panels with beaded pendants and diapers. On the exterior roundels separated by vertical lines.

This is an example of the production of Kraak porcelains in its later stages. The moulding of the sides has disappeared. This extra step in the process would have become too expensive in mass production. The glaze is somewhat greener, the cobalt-blue of a lighter tone and the design lacks depth. The more careless painting is in itself not a clue to a later date. These dishes with a variety of central scenes have been recovered from the Hatcher wreck (c. 1643), they are in many collections. An example with the well-known design of the bird on a rock, also from the Hatcher wreck, is in the British Museum.

Object
Dish