Description
This is a hand-painted Chinese Export Kraak porcelain blue and white Side Plate or Dish, which we date to the Ming, Wanli period,( 1573-1620 ), dating to the early 17th Century.
The plate / dish is well potted with a carefully cut base rim and a lovely rich glassy, white glaze with a slight blue tinge.
The plate is hand-painted in a free flowing style, indicative of the period, in varying shades of a clear cobalt blue. The central well is decorated with a symmetrical six section design with flowers issuing from rocks to the centre. The outer section is decorated with characteristic radiating panels, twelve in all, hand painted with various motifs and symbols.
The reverse has a shell symbol within a double blue circle to the central base. The shell symbol tends to be only found on fine porcelain and signifies a prosperous journey or voyage. The outer base rim has a continuous floral sprig, all in cobalt blue.
We date this fine plate to the early 17th Century Ming dynasty, within the late Wanli period, circa 1710, but could be slightly later in the 17th Century.
CONDITION:
Overall Good to Very Good. Small outer rim frits and one very small under rim chip associated with this period, often called "moth-eaten" edges, thought to be due to the physical properties of the glaze. NO Cracks, NO Restoration; please see images.
Internal Ref: P 1976 - B
 
Dimensions
Height = 15.8 cm (6.2")
Width = 15.8 cm (6.2")
Depth = 2.8 cm (1.1")