Ming Dynasty Kraak Porcelain Klapmuts Bowl

Late Ming Dynasty, Wanli (1572–1620) Period, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, China

A magnificent and rare example of blue-and-white Kraak porcelain, this finely decorated klapmuts bowl embodies the artistry and global reach of Ming Dynasty ceramics. Kraak porcelain (Kraakporselein in Dutch) refers to a type of Chinese export ware produced at the famed Jingdezhen kilns from the Wanli reign (1573–1620) until the fall of the Ming Dynasty. These porcelains were among the first Chinese export wares to reach Europe in large quantities, primarily through the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The name "Kraak" derives from the Portuguese "carracas" (carracks)—large trading vessels that frequently transported this precious cargo before being seized by the Dutch.

Kraak porcelain is thinly potted and often displays roughly cut footrims, glaze contractions at the edges, and occasional firing flaws—all characteristic of its mass-production for export. The klapmuts bowl, a distinctive shape within Kraak ware, features a shallow body, flattened rim, and slightly upturned lip, designed specifically for European clientele who preferred a stable resting place for their spoons.

This gorgeous klapmuts bowl sits on a footring and is expertly painted in underglaze cobalt blue with a detailed riverscape scene at its center. The design includes a pagoda, a tree on a small island, a flag, rocky formations, and distant mountains, capturing the idealized Chinese landscape motifs that fascinated European collectors. Surrounding the interior wall are four delicate medallions, alternating between peach and flowering peony—symbols of longevity and prosperity. The narrow sections between these medallions are adorned with hanging ribbons, adding a sense of movement and elegance.

The exterior decoration features four oval-shaped medallions, each enclosing a stylized flaming pearl, a traditional motif representing wisdom and enlightenment. These medallions are separated by narrow panels decorated with lingzhi (sacred fungus), a Daoist symbol of immortality. The rim is further embellished with two elongated flowering stems, enhancing the overall refinement of the piece.

Kraak porcelain was highly sought after across Europe and the Islamic world, due to its distinctive paneling style, vibrant underglaze blue designs, and the cultural prestige associated with Ming Dynasty ceramics. This exceptional klapmuts bowl exemplifies the fusion of Chinese artistic tradition with early global trade, making it a valuable addition for collectors of Chinese export porcelain.

Good condition. Small chip in the rim and 7 hairlines. Still vivid cobalt blue underglaze color. Fritting and glazing flaws. Kiln grit on the footrim. Size approx. 21,5cm x 21,5cm x 5,6cm.

Provenance: Finnish private collection

References and further reading:

Kraak porcelain. A moment in the history of trade, Maura Rinaldi, Bamboo Publishing Ltd, London, 1989.

Chinese Ceramics in the Collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. The Ming and Qing Dynasties, Christian J.A. Jörg in collaboration with J. van Campen, Philip Wilson Publishers Limited, London, 1997

The Hatcher Porcelain Cargoes. The Complete Record, Colin Sheaf & Richard Kilburn, Phaidon Inc Ltd, Oxford, 1988

The Wares of the Transitional Period between the Ming and the Ch'Ing 1620-1683, Soame Jenyns, Archives of the Chinese Art Society of America, Published By: Duke University Press, Vol. 9, 1955, pp. 20-42.