Blue and White wares since 1722 - Page 1

Object 2011762

Dish

China

1720-1730

Height 30 mm (1.18 inch), diameter 263 mm (10.35 inch), diameter of footring 140 mm (5.51 inch), weight 555 grams (19.58 ounce (oz.))

Dish on footring, flat underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Decorated in underglaze blue with a 'vajra' within a swirling clouds pattern border. On the rim knotted motifs alternating with floral scrolls. On the reverse two flower sprays.

Vajra is a Sanskrit word meaning both thunderbolt and diamond. Additionally, it is a weapon which is used as a ritual object to symbolize both the properties of a diamond (indestructibility) and a thunderbolt (irresistible force). The vajra is essentially a type of club with a ribbed spherical head. The ribs may meet in a ball-shaped top, or they may be separate and end in sharp points with which to stab. The vajra is used symbolically by the dharma traditions of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, often to represent firmness of spirit and spiritual power. The use of the vajra as a symbolic and ritual tool spread from India along with Indian religion and culture to other parts of Asia. This dish was probably meant for the Indian market and not for the Western market. (Wikipedia)

For an identically, shaped, sized and decorated dish, please see:

Four Centuries of Blue & White. The Frelinghuysen Collection of Chinese And Japanese Export Porcelain, (B. MacGuire, Ad Ilissum / Paul Holberton Publishing, Chicago, 2023), p.2.

A Japanese dish in the Rijksmuseum Collection (AK-RBK 1972-261) with a very similar type of deoration, is dated 1660-80, for this dish please see:

Fine & Curious. Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections, (C.J.A. Jörg, Hotei Publishing, Amsterdam, 2003), p.35, cat. 20.

Condition: Two shallow glaze chips, two shallow glaze frits and various very tiny shallow fleabites all to the reverse rim. A chip or firing flaw to the inner footring.

References:

Price: € 499 Currency Converter