Chinese Porcelain
Kraak Porcelain wares 1570-1645
Dishes
Page 1
Dutch merchants arrived in Asia towards the end of the 16th century. The Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC (Dutch East India Company, 1602–1799), was founded in 1602, competed fiercely with the Portuguese as traders. Porcelain from captured Portuguese vessels (caraccas) was called kraak porcelain, a Dutch corruption of the Portuguese word. It was made especially for export in Jingdezhen, the porcelain centre in Jiangxi Province. The VOC shipped it in huge quantities and soon it was a commonplace item in Dutch interiors.
Kraak porcelain was primarily bought for practical use but pieces also had decorative functions. The paintings, done in underglaze blue only, show landscapes and animals, rarely human figures, making this porcelain suitable for Islamic markets, too. Buddhist and Daoist good luck symbols make up the paneled border decorations. Plates and dishes were moulded. They are thin, usually rather quickly finished and often have kiln grit adhering to the underside. The glaze on the edge is often retracted. Apart from large dishes, the bases of other objects are glazed, and the V-shaped footring is slightly undercut. Initially, the panels on kraak porcelain were raised, but this feature disappeared at the end of this period.
Following Rinaldi in her book 'Kraak Porcelain. A moment in the History of Trade.' Kraak porcelain wares have, if available, been classified into four groups:
- Dishes
- Klapmutsen
- Bowls
- Closed Forms
In turn these groups have been subdivided according to specific characteristics.
Dishes are the most representative of all Kraak shapes. There are several Kraak characteristics which could be taken into account for a classification of these dishes, but it is evident that the most distinctive feature is the border which, with one exception (Border II), always covers both cavetto and rim. The distinct border patterns found on Kraak dishes lend themselves to a classification of nine border groups.
Border I (c.1570-1625) and Border II (c.1565-1600) II
- represent a transition in which decorative styles and space arrangements, which were popular during the Jiajing period, continued to be used on a body which now fully complies with Kraak characteristics.
Border III (c.1580-1610)
Border IV (c.1575-1605)
Border V (c.1575-1615)
Borders I to V are generally assigned to the second half of the sixteenth century. As they are often present in Dutch collections, it is likely that some of these styles were still produced in the early years of the seventeenth century.
Border VI (c.1575-1605)
- shows the transition between sixteenth- and seventeenth-century styles.
Border VII.1 (c.1595-1610), Border VII.2 (c.1610-1630) and Border VII.3 (c.1630-1650),
- were produced in large quantities during the first half of the seventeenth century. Since specimens were recovered from both the Witte Leeuw (1613) and the Hatcher Cargo (1640-1645) and represent a thirty year spread, the noticeable evolution in style is embodied in three subgroups (1, 2 & 3).
Border VIII (c.1595-1645)
- was also produced in great numbers over a long period of time, but the decoration remained almost unchanged for several decades.
Border IX (c.1635-1650)
- shows the blending of typical kraak and Transitional styles.
(source: Rinaldi 1989, pp.72-117)
Kraak Porcelain wares 1570-1645 - Dishes - Page 1
Object 2012561
Dish
China
1590-1610
Height 29 mm (1.14 inch), diameter of rim 211 mm (8.31 inch), diameter of footring 108 mm (4.25 inch), weight 330 grams (11.64 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, flat rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with a bird perched on a rock with a flowering peony tree and an insect in flight in a central medallion enclosed by a ruyi-heads pattern border. The sides are undecorated. On the rim stylized cranes flying amongst swirling clouds alternating with fruiting peach sprays. On the exterior rim four elongated grasses. On the base two concentric lines in underglaze blue. Coarse sand from the kiln adheres to the base and some areas of the footring.
This type of this dish is recorded in Maura Rinaldi's book 'Kraak Porcelain. A moment in the history of trade' as a shallow dish with a flat rim. The decoration on the border appears to be rare among the kraak porcelain assortment and is not published by Rinaldi. The dish can be dated to around 1590-1610.
For a closely related border to that enclosing the central medallion of the dish, formed by a narrow band of alternating blue and white squares and a band of ruyi-heads, please see:
Condition: A firing flaw to the footring, some glaze rough spots, a shallow glaze chip and a chip with a short, connected hairline all to the rim.
Reference:
Price: € 999 Currency Converter
Kraak Porcelain wares 1570-1645 - Dishes - Page 1
Object 2010C153
Saucer
China
1575-1615
Height 18 mm (0.71 inch), diameter of rim 140 mm (5.51 inch), diameter of footring 79 mm (3.11 inch), weight 98 grams (3.46 ounce (oz.))
Saucer on footring, slightly scalloped flat rim. Some kiln sand adhering to the footring. Decorated in underglaze blue with a butterfly and a grasshopper standing on a rock besides a large peony spray and a flowering plant beneath clouds encircled by a single, concentric band. On the sides and rim wide panels filled with peaches or camellia alternate with narrow panels with beaded pendants. The reverse has a similar decorative scheme, the wide panels are filled with symbols or jewels and the narrow with elongated lingzhi.
According to Rinaldi this saucer can be classified as a Border V saucer. Border V is characterized by large segments separated by narrow ones. The decoration is less crowded than on other groups. Each large section usually contains a dainty floral or fruit spray or insects, and allows plenty of undecorated space around the design. In the narrow sections there are only dots or a thinly-drawn knotted ribbon. The underside, following the inside pattern, is divided into large sections with symbols or jewels and narrow segments with lingzhi. These dishes are usually of small size, between 200 mm (7.87 inch) and 220 mm (8.66 inch) in diameter. There are also saucers of about 140 mm (5.51 inch) which, rather unusually, have a flat rim. These small dishes/saucers were found in some quantities in the cargo of the wreck of Dutch East India Company (VOC) vessel the Witte Leeuw (1613) but are not otherwise very common. (Rinaldi 1989, pp.88-89)
From the 8th century the cricket was used on markets in China in cricket-fights. In this way the cricket became a symbol of courage. This creature also symbolizes summer, The latter meaning seems to be the most suitable, because of the presence of the butterfly. If however, here a cicada (Latin for grasshopper) is depicted instead of a cricket the picture has a quite different meaning as the cicada symbolizes happiness and eternal youth. (Hartog 1990, p.38)
For similarly decorated saucers, please see:
- Het Chinese porselein in de collectie Frits Lugt / The Frits Lugt collection of Chinese porcelains, (D.F. Lunsingh Scheurleer in Mededelingenblad Nederlandse Vereniging van Vrienden van de Ceramiek, vols. 103/104, Lochem 1981), pp.67-68, cat. 73.
- The ceramic load of the "Witte Leeuw" (1613), (C.L. van der Pijl-Ketel, catalogue Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1982), p.81 inv.no: 5002.
- Pronken met Oosters Porselein, exhibition catalogue Gemeentemuseum Arnhem, (S. Hartog, Zwolle, 1990), p.38, cat. 6.
- The Wanli Shipwreck and its ceramic cargo, (S. Sjostrand & S. Lok Lok bt. Syed Idrus, Kuala Lumpur, 2007), pp.218-219, Serial no. 2491.
Condition: Firing flaws to the rim, the base and the exterior wall, this last firing flaw with a short connected, firing, glaze hairline (only visible on the reverse side). Two tiny spots on the rim caused by popped bubbles of glaze during the firing process.
References:
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1981, cat. 73
Sjostrand & Lok Lok 2007, Serial No. 2491
Price: € 999 Currency Converter
Kraak Porcelain wares 1570-1645 - Dishes - Page 1
Object 2011423
Saucer
China
1575-1615
Height 30 mm (0.71 inch), diameter of rim 140 mm (5.51 inch), diameter of footring 74 mm (3.11 inch), weight 88 grams (3.10 ounce (oz.))
Saucer on footring, slightly scalloped flat rim. Some kiln sand adhering to the footring. Decorated in underglaze blue with a bird standing on a rock flanked by flowering plants beneath clouds in a marshy landscape, encircled by a single concentric band. On the sides and rim a moulded pattern of eight broad panels filled with peaches and camellia separated by eight narrow panels with beaded pendants. The reverse has a similar decorative scheme, the broad panels are filled with symbols or jewels and the narrow with elongated lingzhi.
According to Rinaldi this saucer can be classified as a Border V saucer. Border V is characterized by large segments separated by narrow ones. The decoration is less crowded than on other groups. Each large section usually contains a dainty floral or fruit spray or insects, and allows plenty of undecorated space around the design. In the narrow sections there are only dots or a thinly-drawn knotted ribbon. The underside, following the inside pattern, is divided into large sections with symbols or jewels and narrow segments with lingzhi. These dishes are usually of small size, between 200 mm (7.87 inch) and 220 mm (8.66 inch) in diameter. There are also saucers of about 140 mm (5.51 inch) which, rather unusually, have a flat rim. These small dishes/saucers were found in some quantities in the cargo of the wreck of Dutch East India Company (VOC) vessel the Witte Leeuw (1613) but are not otherwise very common. (Rinaldi 1989, pp.88-89)
Similarly sized saucers (140 mm (5.51 inch)) were excavated from the wreck of the Dutch East India Company, (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC) vessel the Witte Leeuw (1613), its cargo, properly excavated and documented, included many pieces of kraak porcelain in a wealth of varieties. Until around 1650 tens of thousands of pieces of kraak porcelain were imported into the Netherlands, each year, so it is no wonder that even today it can sometimes be seen in Dutch houses as part of the interior decoration, thus continuing a tradition which started in the early 17th century. Saucers like this would have been used to serve strawberries, cherries or other fruits. In some Dutch families these saucers are still being used for this purpose on special occasions. (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, p.55)
For similarly decorated saucers, please see:
- Het Chinese porselein in de collectie Frits Lugt / The Frits Lugt collection of Chinese porcelains, (D.F. Lunsingh Scheurleer in Mededelingenblad Nederlandse Vereniging van Vrienden van de Ceramiek, vols. 103/104, Lochem 1981), pp.67-68, cat. 73.
- The ceramic load of the "Witte Leeuw" (1613), (C.L. van der Pijl-Ketel, catalogue Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1982), p.81 inv.no: 5002.
- Pronken met Oosters Porselein, exhibition catalogue Gemeentemuseum Arnhem, (S. Hartog, Zwolle, 1990), p.38, cat. 6.
- The Wanli Shipwreck and its ceramic cargo, (S. Sjostrand & S. Lok Lok bt. Syed Idrus, Kuala Lumpur, 2007), pp.218-219, Serial no. 4974.
Condition: A firing flaw to the reverse. A hairline to the wall and four tiny shallow frits the rim
References:
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1981, cat. 73
Sjostrand & Lok Lok 2007, Serial No. 4974
Price: € 999 Currency Converter
Kraak Porcelain wares 1570-1645 - Dishes - Page 1
Object 2011031
Dish
China
1595-1645
Provenance: Previously sold by the late Mr R. Kessels, a former antiques dealer in Groningen, the Netherlands.
Height 39 mm (1.54 inch), diameter of rim 205 mm (8.07 inch), diameter of footring 120 mm (4.72 inch), weight 255 grams (8.99 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, everted and scalloped rim. Some kiln sand adhering to the footring. The meisande, or petalled, style decoration in underglaze blue with ducks-in-a-pond next to flowering chrysanthemum and lotus plants surrounded by an elaborate bracketed border and encircled by a ten pointed scalloped medallion. On the moulded sides and rim ten round, or onion shaped, medallions filled with auspicious symbols. In between the medallions a single looped bow. On the reverse wide panels filled with lines and dots. The footring has been pierced.
According to Rinaldi this dish can be classified as a border VIII dish. In border VIII dishes rims are always straight with a slightly flared and foliated edge. The panels on the gently curved cavetto are transformed into round or drop-shaped medallions. These are separated from the usual eight pointed centre medallion by thickly drawn brackets. Dishes of this type are usually small (from 130 mm (5.12 inch) to 200 mm (7.87 inch) in diameter). Auspicious symbols have become the most common decoration in the centre medallions, but floral motifs or animal appear as well. The grasshopper emerges as a favourite decoration. The underside is divided into sections by a single line bifurcated near the footrim. Each section contains stylized symbols or jewels and dots. (Rinaldi 1989, pp.109-111)
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)
A similarly shaped and well painted dish was excavated from the wreck of the Dutch East India Company, (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC) vessel the Witte Leeuw (1613). Its properly excavated and documented cargo included many pieces of kraak porcelain in a wealth of varieties. (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, p.55)
The Japanese refer to these dishes as 'meisande' and to the panelled style as 'fuyoda'. Numerous dishes of this type were found in the Banda (wrecked 1615) but do not occur in the Ardebil collection, which was completed before 1611. (Pijl-Ketel 1982, p.83)
For similarly decorated dishes, please see:
- Sale catalogue Sotheby Mak van Waay no.275, 26 April 1977, including Chinese export porcelain and others artefacts excavated from the wreck of the VOC East Indiamen the Witte Leeuw (1613) near the Isle St. Helena by Dr. R. Stenuit, (Sotheby Mak van Waay B.V., Amsterdam 1977), p.242, lot 1003.
- The ceramic load of the "Witte Leeuw" (1613), (C.L. van der Pijl-Ketel, catalogue Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1982), p.86 inv.no:5210.
- Kraak porcelain. A moment in the history of trade, (M. Rinaldi, Bamboo Publishing Ltd, London 1989), p.110, Pl.107.
- Chinese Porcelain in Habsburg Spain, (C. Krahe, Centro de Estudios Europa Hispánica, Madrid 2016), p.267, cat. 208.
For a dish with an identically decorated elaborate bracketed border, please see:
- The Wanli Shipwreck and its ceramic cargo, (S. Sjostrand & S. Lok Lok bt. Syed Idrus, Kuala Lumpur, 2007), pp.232-233, cat. 2629.
Condition: A firing flaw to the base. Some very very shallow glaze rough spots and a fleabite to the rim.
References:
Pijl-Ketel 1982, pp. 83-100 & inv.no:5210
Sjostrand & Lok Lok 2007, Serial No. 4580, 4584, 5095, 5097A &,5097C
Price: € 1.299 Currency Converter
Kraak Porcelain wares 1570-1645 - Dishes - Page 1
Object 2010645
Small dish
China
1595-1645
Height 36 mm (1.41 inch), diameter of rim 137 mm (5.39 inch), diameter of footring 71 mm (2.79 inch), weight 127 grams (4.48 ounce (oz.))
Small dish on footring, everted and scalloped rim. The meisande, or petalled, style decoration in underglaze blue with a bird perched on a rock next to a flowering chrysanthemum encircled by an eight pointed scalloped medallion. On the sides eight round, or onion shaped, medallions, filled with peaches, the emblem of marriage and symbol of immortality and springtime, ruyi heads, head of the scepter Rui, signifying "as you wish", because the head is similar to the conventionalised form of a lingzi, and Musical stones, one of the Eight Precious Symbols, a symbol of Good Luck and also an emblem of harmony. In between each medallion a single looped bow. On the reverse eight broad panels with lines and dots. (Pijl-Ketel 1982, pp.270-283)
According to Rinaldi this dish can be classified as a border VIII dish. In Border VIII dishes rims are always straight with a slightly flared and foliated edge. The panels on the gently curved cavetto are transformed into round or drop-shaped medallions. These are separated from the usual eight pointed centre medallion by thickly drawn brackets. Dishes of this type are usually small (from 13 to 20 cm in diameter). Auspicious symbols have become the most common decoration in the centre medallions, but floral motifs or animal appear as well. The grasshopper emerges as a favourite decoration. The underside is divided into sections by a single line bifurcated near the footrim. Each section contains stylized symbols or jewels and dots. (Rinaldi 1989, pp.109-111)
Condition: Two firing flaws to the centre with connected hairlines and a tiny glaze chip to the rim.
References:
Price: € 499 Currency Converter
Kraak Porcelain wares 1570-1645 - Dishes - Page 1
Object 2010981
Dish
China
1630-1650
Height 48 mm (1.89 inch), diameter of rim 268 mm (10.55 inch), diameter of footring 145 mm (5.71 inch), weight 595 grams (21.03 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring with a flat rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with a bird in flight and a bird perched on a rock in a marshy landscape with flowering peonies and clouds encircled by an eight pointed scalloped medallion. On the sides and rim large panels filled with peach and auspicious symbols alternate with narrow panels with a diaper or scale pattern and tassels. The scheme of the reserse repeats that of the front large panels filled with a dot within a larger circle alternate with narrow panels with stylised lingzhi.
According to Rinaldi this dish can be classified as a Border VII.3 dish. Borders in this group show a great variety in their decorative motifs. The most common bears the sunflower motif alternating with large and simply drawn symbols. Dishes with similar border were found among the shards from the São Gonçalo. (Rinaldi 1989, pp.106-108)
For a similarly decorated dish, please see:
Condition: Two tiny chips and some very tiny glaze frits to the rim. A short hairline to the rim and three hairlines from the rim to the base. A firing flaw to the rim.
References:
Price: € 599 Currency Converter
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