'Kraak' Porcelain for the Dutch
The name Kraak refers to the Portuguese ships that were taken by the Dutch in front of the Portuguese Coast. As the Dutch didn't have ships yet to voyage to Asia, they rather plundered the Portuguese for the precious porcelain. Wanli porcelain was produced for foreigners in China, as the more refined milky porcelain was only reserved for the imperial court. It was not until Emperor Kangxi, that the Imperial Kilns were opened for the West, for he realized that China could make a lot of money on it.
TWO LARGE CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN 'KRAAK' BOWLS
Wanli period, late 16th century
Decorated with fan-shaped borders with flower sprays, the inside with birds amongst rockwork, a few minor hairlines.
Diam. approx. 36 cm each
Provenance:
Private collection, the Netherlands
A pair of Chinese blue-and-white 'Kraak' porcelain 'cricket' bowls
Wanli, late 16th/early 17th century
Each decorated in underglaze blue with floral motifs and on the bottom a cricket on a rock, some natural glaze crackling and backing faults.
Diam. 15 cm (each)
Provenance:
Private collection, Austria