A Rare Kangxi Blue and White Porcelain ‘Ship’ Dish c.1700

A rare Kangxi blue and white porcelain ‘ship’ dish c.1690-1720. This large Kangxi dish depicts a Western sailing ship, perhaps a V.O.C. (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) trading vessel off the Chinese coast. This early depiction of Western ship is unusual in that the center of the dish is devoted entirely to one ship. Earlier depictions, such as those from the ‘Swatow’ kilns in Fujian, show European trading vessels as part of a complex design. Clearly this depiction is for a Westerner connected with trade in China and although rare they do occasionally show up in Dutch collections (see references). The border is of fish among aquatic plants and boys among scrolling lotus, the base has a ‘fu’ (happiness) mark.

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Condition
In good condition, there are several rim shallow chips mainly confined to the back rim. Approximately 1/3 of the rim has been very lightly polished, it is very difficult to see but we have photographed it. Some fritting.
Size
Diameter : 26.5 cm (10 1/2 inches)
Provenance
N/A
Stock number
25205
References
Two Kangxi porcelain ship dishes of this design are in the Shanghai Museum, they are illustated in : Traces of Trade, Chinese Export Porcelain Donated by Henk B. Niewenhuys (various authors, 2009. ISBN 978-7-80725-790-5) Items 92 and 93, illustrated on the front cover and pages 192-195.

Photos

Information

Robert McPherson Antiques

A Yongzheng Famille Rose Porcelain Saucer c.1730 Painted with European Ship.

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Willem-van-de-Velde-1630-1670

Willem van de Velde 1630-1670

Dutch Ships

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam)

Japanese Woodcut of a V.O.C. ship

A Japanese Woodcut Depicting a V.O.C. Ship