Kraak porcelain
China, late 16th–1st half 17th century
Dutch merchants arrived in Asia towards the end of the 16th century. The VOC, (Dutch East India Company, 1602–1799), founded in 1602, competed fiercely with the Portuguese as traders. Porcelain from captured Portuguese vessels (caraccas) was called kraakporcelain, 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 panelled 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.
Object 2010C181
Bottle
Provenance: China
Dating: Wanli period (1573-1620), c.1625
Double-gourd shaped bottle on high foot. The long tapering neck bulges slightly towards the base. Decorated in underglaze blue.
On the body three large pomgranate-shaped panels decorated with auspicious symbols with tassels, ribbons and a single blossom. Between the panels a meander pattern separated by a horizontal and a vertical band with blossom and a ruyi motif. Low on the neck six panels with auspicious symbols, above a similar meander pattern.
C.J.A. Jörg states in his "Jan Menze van Diepen Stichting. Selectie uit de collectie Oosterse keramiek. (Jan Menze van Diepen Foundation. A Selection from the Collection of Oriental Ceramics)" that gourd-shaped bottles are a normal part of the kraak assortment, but all known examples have a low footring with a slightly spreading mouthrim. Therefore, this bottle with its high foot, elongated oval-shaped belly and tapering neck is most unusual and can be considered as a rare kraak item. The high foot could be related to those on certain types of ewers and vases from the second quarter of the 16th century.
For an identical bottle see:
Dimensions:
Height: 262 mm (10.31 inch)
Diameter: 110 mm (4.33 inch)
Diameter of mouthrim: 27 mm (1.06 inch)
Diameter of footring: 55 mm (2.17 inch)
Condition: An old restoration to the top section of the neck, and two firing flaws to the footring.
References:
C.J.A. Jörg 2002/2, p.57, cat. 30.
Price: € 1.999 - $ 2.606 - £ 1.614
(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)
Object 2011235
Dish
Provenance: China
Dating: Wanli period (1573-1620),
c.1610-1620
Large dish on a footring with a flattened rim, a foliated edge and a glazed base. Decorated in underglaze blue.
M. Rinaldi states in her "Kraak porcelain. A moment in the history of trade" that this dish can be classified as a Border VII.2 dish. Here the large panels on the border are no longer filled with floral sprays or insects, while the peach has begun its transformation into what is known as the sunflower motif. Auspicious symbols replace floral sprays and insects, most of them concerned with longevity, as if to ward off the dangers of wars and famines which swept over China at that time. These symbols are usually Daoist or the Eight treasures. Buddhist symbols are much rarer. In this group narrow panels are partly filled with diaper motifs. In the centre Medallion the ducks in a pond and the hanging basket are still very common. In this group a new motif appears: a bird on a rock near water and large flowers, usually peonies. The scheme of the underside repeats that of the front. Large ogival or round panels contain fungus and dots; narrow sections contain stylised lingzhi motifs. In this group narrow panels are partly filled with diaper motifs while there are a few dishes which do not have a diaper border around the central medallion.
In the centre decorated with a flower basket on a terrace with protruding roots growing from the base of the flower basket. The flower basket is filled with a book scroll and flowering peony and peach plants encircled by an eight pointed scalloped medallion. The interior rim is decorated with small panels filled with a diaper or scale pattern and tassels. The large panels are decorated with the following (auspicious) symbols;
- a peach, the single peach fruit, "Amygdalus persica", is also known as the fairy fruit. It is thought to have originated in China and comes in many varieties and is said to be good against lung diseases, coughs and rheumatism.
- a book scroll with an overlaying meander pattern and a tassel and ribbon used in the background. The meander in its primitive form, as on Shang dynasty bronzes, is an archaic pictographic representation of clouds and thunder and for that reason is referred to in Chinese as "thunder pattern".
- a gourd bottle with a tassel and ribbon used in the background, symbol of mystery and longevity and its shape is suitable as a receptacle for medicine. The gourd bottle is also the emblem of Li Tieh Kuai, one of the Eight Daoist Immortals, who holds the bottle in his hand denoting his power of setting his spirit free from his body.
- an Artemisia leaf with a "Wheel of law", a Buddhist symbol of happy augury and of sovereign rule and authority (of Buddhism) being associated with Buddha's person and preaching. The "Artemisia" leaf is the symbol of healing and health and considered a good omen. When placed over the house door it is thought to dispel sickness. In ancient times the Chinese used the nerves of the Artemisia leaf for prophecy.
- a lantern, symbol of joy and festivities, with a "Wheel of law" Buddhist symbol of happy augury and of sovereign rule and authority (of Buddhism) being associated with Buddha's person and preaching.
(sources: C.L. van der Pijl-Ketel ed., The ceramic load of the "Witte Leeuw" (1613), catalogue Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1982 & S. Sjostrand & Syed Lok Lok bt. Syed Idrus, The Wanli Shipwreck and its ceramic cargo, Kuala Lumpur, 2007)
The scheme of the underside repeats that of the front, large ogival or round panels contain fungus and dots. The narrow panels are filled with lingzhi motifs.
S. Sjostrand & S. Lok Lok bt. Syed Idrus state in their “The Wanli Shipwreck and its ceramic cargo” that by placing the flower basket inside a garden fence, the decorator suggests a feeling of inner peace. The flower basket represents Lan Cai He, one of the Eight Immortals, patron Saint of gardens and florists. The motif with the protruding roots mostly occurs in (very) large kraak plates.
This original Chinese "Kraak" design apparently appealed to Europeans, various imitations like this Dutch (Delft) PGOA object 2011218 and this Japanese PGOA object 2011207 were made. C.J.A. Jörg shows in his “Austrumu porcellans un Niderlande. Austrumu un Rietumu mijiedarbiba 17. gadsimta / Oriental Porcelain and the Netherlands. Interaction between East and West in the 17th century” three different dishes with this design; the original Chinese "Kraak" version, the Japanese and Dutch Delftware imitations.
For identical decorated dishes see;
- Porzellan aus China und Japan. Die Porzellangalerie der Landgrafen von Hessen-Kassel, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Kassel, Berlin 1990, p.228, cat. 10.
- The Wanli Shipwreck and its ceramic cargo, (S. Sjostrand & S. Lok Lok bt. S. Idrus, Kuala Lumpur 2007), pp. 169-179, cat. 4223.
Dimensions:
Height: 66 mm (2.60 inch)
Diameter: 372 mm (14.65 inch)
Diameter of footring: 190 mm (7.48 inch)
Condition: A firing flaw to the exterior wall, three chips, two frits, two hairlines and some shallow glaze rough spots to the rim.
References:
Sjostrand & Lok Lok 2007, pp. 271-278, Serial No. 4136d, 4580, 5097a, 5097c & 5097b.
Jörg 2011/1, pp. 96-97, cat.17.
Price: € 1.999 - $ 2.600 - £ 1.722
(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)
Object 2010981
Dish
Provenance: China
Dating: Wanli period (1573-1620),
c.1620-1640
Dish on a footring with a glazed base and a flattened rim. Decorated in underglaze blue.
M. Rinaldi states in her "Kraak porcelain. A moment in the history of trade" that 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.
In the centre a decoration of a bird in flight and a bird perched on a rock in a marsh landscape with flowering peonies and clouds encircled by an eight pointed scalloped medallion. The cavetto is decorated with small panels filled with a diaper or scale pattern and tassels. The large panels are filled with peach and auspicious symbols. On the exterior wall five broad panels containing a small circle within a larger circle.
Dimensions:
Height: 48 mm (1.89 inch)
Diameter: 268 mm (10.55 inch)
Diameter of footring: 145 mm (5.71 inch)
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: € 899 - $ 1.164 - £ 724
(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)
Object 20101C168
Dish
Provenance: China
Dating: Wanli period (1573-1620)
c.1620-1640
Dish on a footring, flattened rim and foliated edge with a glazed base. Decorated in underglaze blue.
M. Rinaldi states in her "Kraak porcelain. A moment in the history of trade" that 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 Goncalo.
The centre features a bird in flight and two birds perched on a rock in a marsh landscape next to flowering peony and chrysanthemum plants, encircled by an eight pointed scalloped medallion. The cavetto is decorated with small panels filled with a diaper or scale pattern and dots. The large panels are filled with peach and the auspicious symbols: an artemisia leaf with tassels, a conch shell with tassels, a fan with tassels and castanets with tassels. The scheme of the underside repeats that of the front, eight large ogival or round panels contain dots. the narrow panels are filled with lingzhi motifs.
The footring has been pierced.
M. Rinaldi states in her "Kraak porcelain. A moment in the history of trade" that 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.
Dimensions:
Height: 35 mm (1.38 inch)
Diameter: 211 mm (8.30 inch)
Diameter of footring: 115 mm (4.53 inch)
Condition: A near perfect condition with only two firing flaws, one to the shape of the rim, the other to the base and two tiny frits to the rim.
References:
M. Rinaldi 1989, p.106, Pl. 97 & p.137.
Sjostrand & Lok Lok 2007, pp. 184-1185, Serial No. 1778.
Price: € 899 - $ 1.155 - £ 714
(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)
Object 2010C153
Saucer
Provenance: China
Dating: Wanli period (1573-1620),
c.1575-1615
Saucer on a footring, rounded side and
a flattened flaring rim which is slightly foliated. The glazed base is slightly convex, and the v-shaped, faceted footring slants slightly inwards. Decorated in underglaze blue.
M. Rinaldi states in her "Kraak porcelain. A moment in the history of trade" that 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 flattened rim. These saucers were found in some quantities in the cargo of the wreck of Dutch East India Company (VOC) vessel "De Witte Leeuw" (1613) but are not otherwise very common.
A central decoration of a butterfly and a cricket on a rock with a flowering chrysanthemum encircled by a single, concentric band. On the cavetto and rim a moulded pattern of eight broad panels decorated with peaches and flowers separated by eight narrow panels decorated with beaded pendants. The exterior wall has a similar decorative scheme, the broad panels decorated with lingzhi and the narrow ones with elongated lingzhi.
S. Hartog states in his “Pronken met Oosters Porselein” that 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 is depicted instead of a cricket the picture has a quite different meaning as the cicada symbolizes happiness and eternal youth.
For saucers with similar decoration see:
- 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.
Dimensions:
Height: 18 mm (0.71 inch)
Diameter: 140 mm (5.51 inch)
Diameter of footring: 79 mm (3.11 inch)
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 plopping bubbles of glaze during the firing process.
References:
Price: € 999 - $ 1.250 - £ 790
(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)
Object 2010611
Klapmuts (Bowl)
Provenance: China
Dating: Wanli period (1573-1620)
Klapmuts (Bowl) on footring, glazed base and flattened rim with a foliated edge. Decorated in underglaze blue.
M. Rinaldi states in her "Kraak porcelain. A moment in the history of trade" that 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 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 fist 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, on 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.
On the rim of this particular klapmuts four large and slightly triangular panels are decorated with a monster mask, while the narrow sections extend, without interruption, from rim to centre medallion are filled with hanging tassels. On the cavetto two ogival panels with peach alternate with two panels containing auspicious symbols. The ogival shaped panels on this particular klapmuts are a very rare feature, the most common shape being the four-lobbed oblong. In the centre medallion a decoration of a bird perched on a rock in a marsh landscape with flowering plants, The panels on the exterior wall are decorated with pearls and dots while the lobbed narrower panels have stylized lingzhi. On the exterior rim three elongated flowering stems.
The footring has been pierced.
M. Rinaldi states in her "Kraak porcelain. A moment in the history of trade" that 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.
Dimensions:
Height: 44 mm (1.73 inch)
Diameter: 140 mm (5.51 inch)
Diameter of footring: 70 mm (2.76 inch)
Condition: A hairline and chip to the rim and three firing flaws to the bottom.
References:
Rinaldi 1989, p.130, Pl. 141 & p.137.
Price: € 699 - $ 940 - £ 601
(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)
Object 201076
Klapmuts (Bowl)
Provenance: China
Dating: Wanli period (1573-1620)
Klapmuts (Bowl) on footring, glazed base and flattened rim with a foliated edge. Decorated in underglaze blue.
M. Rinaldi states in her "Kraak porcelain. A moment in the history of trade" that 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 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 fist 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, on 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.
In the centre a decoration of an artemisia leaf with auspicious symbols. On the interior wall four oblong medallions with flowers and auspicious symbols, separated by narrow panels with tassels. On the interior rim four medallions with monster masks, separated by narrow panels with tassels. On the exterior wall four oval shaped medallions with four stylized flaming pearls, separated by narrower panels with lingzhi. On the exterior rim four elongated flowering stems.
The footring has been pierced.
M. Rinaldi states in her "Kraak porcelain. A moment in the history of trade" that 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.
Dimensions:
Height: 45 mm (1.77 inch)
Diameter: 140 mm (5.51 inch)
Diameter of footring: 70 mm (2.76 inch)
Condition: Perfect, a firing flaw to the base.
References:
Rinaldi 1989, p.131, Pl. 143 & p.137.
Price: € 899 - $ 1.180 - £ 746
(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)
Object 2010626
Klapmuts (Bowl)
Provenance: China
Dating: Wanli period (1573-1620)
Klapmuts (Bowl) on footring, glazed base and a flattened rim with foliated edge. Decorated in underglaze blue.
M. Rinaldi states in her "Kraak porcelain. A moment in the history of trade" that 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 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 fist 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, on 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.
On the rim of this particular klapmuts four large and slightly triangular panels are decorated with a monster mask, while the narrow sections extend, without interruption, from rim to centre medallion are filled with hanging tassels. On the cavetto four oblong panels two panels decorated with peach and two with flowering peony. In the centre a decoration of a riverscape with a pagoda on a piece of land, rocks and mountains. The panels on the exterior wall are decorated with pearls and dots while the narrower panels have stylized lingzhi. On the exterior rim two elongated flowering stems.
Dimensions:
Height: 45 mm (1.77 inch)
Diameter: 100 mm (3.94 inch)
Diameter of footring: 43 mm (1.69 inch)
Condition: A few very tiny glaze fleabites to the rim.
References:
Rinaldi 1989, p.132, Pl. 146.
Price: € 549 - $ 551 - £ 765
(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)
Object 201079
Dish
Provenance: China
Dating: Wanli period (1573-1620)
c.1615-1630
Small dish on footring, glazed base and an everted lip with a foliated edge. Decorated in underglaze blue.
M. Rinaldi states in her "Kraak porcelain. A moment in the history of trade" that 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.
In the centre a decoration of a grasshopper on a rock next to a peach encircled by an eight pointed scalloped medallion. On the cavetto eight round, or onion shaped, medallions, decorated with peaches, artemisia leaves and castanets, in between each medallion a single looped bow. On the exterior wall eight broad panels with lines and dots.
Dimensions:
Height: 30 mm (1.18 inch)
Diameter: 140 mm (5.51 inch)
Diameter of footring: 75 mm (2.95 inch)
Condition: Two firing flaws to the centre and a very tiny fleabite to the rim.
References:
Price: € 499 - $ 694 - £ 434
(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)
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