An Early 17th Century Dutch Majolica Plate in the Kraak Style

An Early 17th Century Dutch Majolica Plate in the Kraak Style, Perhaps Haarlem, c.1620. This small thickly potted Dutch interpretation of Kraak ware was probably made in the city of Haarlem, it was a major producer of majolica within the Netherlands at this time. After the fall of Antwerp in 1585 many majolica potters emigrated to Delft, Gouda, Haarlem and Rotterdam. Majolica is an earthenware body coated with a highly translucent lead glaze to the back, which is rendered with opaque white on the front by the addition of tin-oxide. These now rare pieces were originally a cheaper alternative to the Kraak ware porcelain being imported from China. The scene on this very damaged excavated example is of a bird in a landscape. The panelled borders are typical of late Ming Kraak ware.

For more information about Kraak Ware porcelain you can go to the History section of our website-menu, or click on the link: Kraak Ware Porcelain.

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