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A group of ‘Kraak’ wares Three moulded ‘kraak’ dishes
Early 17th century Late 16th/early 17th century
Comprising: a small bowl painted with floral medallions separated by Comprising: one moulded to the cavetto with lappet-shaped
rows of beaded jewellery, the centre with a solitary bird perched on a medallions enclosing slip-outlined, alternate designs of cash, lotus, and
rock; three ‘klapmut’ bowls, Wanli; and a pair of conical blue and white Daoist symbols, the centre with an under-glaze blue ogival medallion
bowls painted with narrative scenes to the exterior and floral designs of a deer by a pine tree; the second, also moulded with lotus lappet-
to the interior, Yongle four-character marks, 17th century. The crow shaped medallions, enclosing blossoming flower heads, the well with a
cup: 12cm (4 3/4in) diam. (6). blue and white ogival medallion of precious objects; the third with slip-
outlined scalloped cavetto enclosing a circular landscape medallion to
£700 - 1,000 the centre. The largest: 20.5cm (8in) diam. (3).
CNY6,700 - 9,600
HK$8,400 - 12,000 £1,000 - 1,500
CNY9,600 - 14,000
Provenance HK$12,000 - 18,000
The crow cup: Purchased from Bluett & Sons ltd. on 2 February 1968
(receipt). Kraak dishes with moulded cavetto are considered by Maura Rinaldi, in
Kraak Porcelain, London 1989, to date to the late 16th and early 17th
Compare the Yongle-marked, 17th century, conical blue-and white century. Whilst Rinaldi dates those with ogival medallions to the last
bowls with a pair in the British Museum, J. Harrison-Hall, Ming quarter of the 16th century, she believes those with a scalloped rim to
Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, no. 12:38-12:39. have been produced in the first decades of the 17th century.

A very similar dish to the first, with slip-enhanced moulded cavetto and
a deer medallion to the centre, is illustrated by Rinaldi, ibid., pl.47.

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