Larger Than Usual Chinese Kraak Bottle Vase, Wanli (1573-1619)

Ref: W906

£ 3,800

Price is subject to availability and market conditions.

Larger than usual Chinese kraak bottle vase, Wanli (1573-1619), of pear-shape with bulbous body and elongated slender neck, decorated in underglaze cobalt blue with alternating floral panels containing peony and other flowers with foliage, the shoulders encircled by a collar of ruyi-heads, the narrow neck with hanging jewel and tassel pendant motif below a band of petals and silver mount to the rim.

Dimensions:

Height: 26.8cm. (10 9/16in.)

Condition:

Not possible to know the condition under the silver mount; probably some chips

Notes:

A new light type of porcelain was developed in the kilns at Jingdezhen in around 1580, it was easily transported and therefore an attractive option for exporting overseas. Mass produced in standardised shapes, such as the bottle vase form seen here, these wares became known as ‘kraak’ after the Dutch ‘carrack’ trading ships which carried them from China.