Small, deep saucer on footring, flat rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with a simplified representation of the ‘Parasol Lady’ (see cat. 98). On the rim a honeycomb motif, separated by eight panels with a paddling bird alternating with a lady with a parasol. On the reverse seven insects. As mentioned in the comments to cat. 98, the Pronk design of the ‘Parasol Lady’ was also used on Japanese porcelain. It was not ordered by the VOC but commissioned by private Dutch traders. On Japanese pieces, the Chinese ladies have become Japanese with their characteristic hairstyles and kimonos (see cat. 140). Pronk designs were still in great demand, particularly the Parasol Lady, when VOC orders for this type of porcelain declined. Simplified versions were made at the artists’ initiative, where both early Chinese and Japanese versions were used as models. This is one such late Chinese variant in Japanese style. Only deep, blue sausers of this Chinese variation on a Japanese style are known in four increasing sizes, this being the largest. The Van Diepen Collection has an identical sauser (Inv. 1598). The body, the glaze and the cobalt blue are unmistakably Chinese, and I would like to corre...