Kraak Porcelain wares 1570-1645 - Klapmutsen

Object 2010611

Klapmuts

China

1605-1650

Height 44 mm (1.73 inch), diameter of rim 140 mm (5.51 inch), diameter of footring 70 mm (2.76 inch), weight 145 grams (5.43 ounce (oz.))

Klapmuts or bowl on footring, flat rim with a scalloped edge. Some kiln sand adhering to the footring. Decorated in underglaze blue with a bird perched on a rock in a marshy landscape with flowering plants. On the sides two ogival-shaped panels filled with peach and with two ogival-shaped panels filled with auspicious symbols. On the rim four large taotie monster masks, the narrow sections extend, without interruption, from rim to centre medallion are filled with hanging ribbons. On the exterior wall four oval shaped medallions with four stylized flaming pearls, separated by narrower panels with lingzhi. On the exterior rim two elongated flowering stems. The footring has been pierced.

According to Rinaldi this klapmuts can be classified as a group V klapmuts. In these klapmutsen the rim is divided into four large and four narrow panels in the most typical kraak style The four large and slightly triangular panels are decorated with a taotie monster mask, while the narrow sections extend, without interruption, from rim to centre medallion and are covered with a continuous design, usually a bow hanging from a ruyi head or a more elaborate motif. This group acquired its definitive stylistic shape around the first years of the seventh century and continued to be produced in massive for the rest of the first half of the century. They are most common of all klapmutsen and were produced in almost all sizes. The mask is often referred to as taotie, one of the oldest symbols used in Chinese decoration. It was represented as early as the Shang Dynasty (1600-1100) BC on bronze and later on jade. There are many variations of the taotie mask, whose purpose was to ward off evil spirits. It is interesting to note that though referred to as a taotie, the representation on the klapmuts is, in fact, most unlike the traditional Chinese monster mask. Instead it has a definite resemblance to a gala, the mythological Indian glutton who was punished by having to eat his own body until only the mouth and upper part of the head and two tiny hands remain. (Rinaldi 1989, pp.129-133)

The ogival-shaped panels on this particular klapmuts are a very rare feature, the most common shape being the four-lobbed oblong in later pieces they become plain ovals. (Rinaldi 1989, pp.130-131)

A hole has been drilled in the very short footring in order to fit a wire through it - the traditional Dutch way to hang dishes on walls as display pieces. (Rinaldi 1989, p.137)

Condition: A hairline and chip to the rim and three firing flaws to the bottom.

References:

Rinaldi 1989, pp.129-133, p.137 & Pl. 141

Price: Sold.