Ming Dynasty Swatow Ware Porcelain Dish

Late Ming dynasty, early 17th century, Zhangzhou prefecture, Fujian province, China.

Fantastic large Swatow (Zhangzhou) ware dish, loosely painted in grayish blue palette with foliate scrolls and circular designs. With stylized "Fu" character in center, typically surrounded by bisquited brown band. On the reverse delicate concentric bands in underglaze blue. The Ming dynasty, officially the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. Swatow (Zhangzhou) ware is a loose grouping of mainly late Ming dynasty export porcelain wares initially intended for the Southeast Asian market. The kilns located all over coastal region, but mostly near Zhangzhou, Pinghe County. Two major and important production sites are Da Long and Er Long in Wuzhai, and the Huazai Lou in Nansheng. The precise dates for the beginning and ending of production remain uncertain, but the evidence from archaeology suggests production between about 1575-1650, though an earlier start has been proposed. The peak levels of production may have ended around 1620.

Swatow ware is generally coarse, crudely potted and often under-fired. The pottery very often have grit from the kiln on the glaze at the foot, indicating rather careless making. They were fired in dragon kilns (lung-yao) of various designs, and the numerous potteries were small concerns, far removed from the industrial scale of Jingdezhen. Pieces were mostly wheel-thrown, but moulds were also used to form pieces. Decoration is underglaze blue and white using cobalt is most common, and was probably the only type of decoration at first.

Good condition. Age-related wear. Minimal hairline fractures. Footring has kiln grits. Fritting and glazing flaws. Lovely patina. Size approx. 28,6cm x 28,7cm x 6,6cm.

Provenance: Swedish private collection

References and further reading:

The Ceramic Trade Across the South China Sea c. AD 1350-1650, Barbara Harrisson, Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. 76, No. 1, 2003, pp. 99-114.

Swatow, Barbara Harrisson, Publisher: Museum het Princessehof, Leeuwarden, 1979.

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.

Zhangzhou (Swatow) Ceramics. Sixteenth to Seventeenth Centuries Found In Indonesia, Sumarah Adhyatman, Publisher: The Ceramic Society of Indonesia, 1999.