Kraak porcelain dish - China, 17th century (Transitional period)

Description

A shining example of Chinese kraak porcelain from the 17th century! This large dish (31 cm diameter) dates from the so-called Transitional period (c. 1620-1683) and shows a delicate hand-painted blue-and-white decor with a central scene of a servant and noblewoman in a landscape setting. The wide rim is divided into compartments with flowers and figures, a typical feature of kraak porcelain. The piece has a few frits and some firing flaws on the rim, befitting its age, but is in overall beautiful condition. See photos. A showpiece for the serious collector of Chinese porcelain.

Origin & meaning
This dish was made in Jingdezhen, China's main porcelain town, during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, in the so-called Transitional period (c. 1620-1680). Kraak porcelain was exported en masse to Europe, Japan and the Middle East during this time, but pieces with figurative scenes were relatively rare and often intended for the upper market segments.

The human figures on this dish probably refer to classical literature or theatre plays from the Ming period. Such performances were not only appreciated for their aesthetics, but also conveyed moral or cultural messages, recognisable to the Chinese elite and intriguing to foreign patrons.

The combination of kraak-shaped layout with panel structure as well as a central scene with people makes this type of plate particularly sought-after by collectors. Whereas many kraak plates have floral or abstract patterns, this decoration adds a narrative layer that increases both rarity and historical value.