Qing Dynasty Kangxi Blue White Porcelain Strainer Bowl.

Qing dynasty, Kangxi period, c. 1720, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, China.

Magnificent blue and white porcelain strainer bowl. The Kangxi period (1662-1722) was one of the most productive periods of Chinese ceramics. The Emperor Kangxi was the fourth emperor of the Qing dynasty and the longest-reigning emperor in Chinese history. An important milestone in the timeline of Chinese ceramics is the reopening of the imperial kilns in Jingdezhen, in the Jiangxi Province, which were largely neglected during the decline of the preceding Ming dynasty. Under Emperor Kangxi, porcelains underwent enormous changes throughout a period of sixty years. Kangxi porcelain was produced for both domestic and export markets. The high quality of material, sophisticated design, great technical expertise, painting quality and aesthetic charm, made it so popular in Europe that a separate branch of export designs flourished. Chinese export porcelain from the late 17th century included mainly blue and white wares along with famille verte wares. The decoration on Chinese ceramics from this period can be characterised as freely painted and often depicting court scenes, garden scenes, arabesques, medallion flowers, and scenes from popular stories with historical figures. These designs, particularly on export porcelain are densely painted, often with a central scene surrounded by a geometric patterned border, or, flower-petal-shaped panels. 

Magnificent, low pierced porcelain strainer bowl. Finely hand-painted decorations with a central scene of floral motif surrounded by a geometric patterned border. Rich cobalt blue are in strong contrast to the slightly-bluish white-glazed ground of the porcelain. Unmarked. Good condition. Minor chip in the rim. Minimal fritting to rim. Size approx. 19,6cm x 19,6cm x 5,5cm.

Provenance: Finnish private collection