Page 22 - Ming Porcelain Primer
P. 22
73–77 A GROUP
OF FIVE KENDIS
(from left to right)
73 KENDI The kendi is modelled with a globular body and a bulbous spout. It is
painted in cobalt blue with a Kraak-style design of a continuous scene of
Porcelain, decorated in underglaze birds sitting on rocks and of flowering plants.
blue
H 19.0 cm Kendis painted in cobalt blue and of this so-called Kraak type were
Ming dynasty, c. 1600 very popular in South East Asia in the late sixteenth and seventeenth
Inv.-No. GRV 1929-325 centuries. They were made in several different sizes and decorative
PROVENANCE: Donated by the heirs of schemes.
R. Verbeek, found in Indonesia
A number of kendis with panelled decorations in the Kraak style were
found on the ship Witte Leeuw (1613). Small kendis of this type were found
as part of the Hatcher cargo (1643; see p. 216).
Ref.: For a kendi found on the Witte Leeuw (1613): Van der Pijl-Ketel 1982, p. 131; now in the Rijksmuseum:
Jörg and Van Campen 1997, p. 67, no. 54.
74 KENDI The kendi with a ribbed body and spout is covered with a café au lait-type
brown glaze and painted on white slip with a floral design.
Porcelain, Zhangzhou (Swatow)
ware, brown lead glaze Ref.: Ridho 1977, no. 241, found on Timor; Saito 1978, pl. 16; Adhyatman 1990, p. 164, no. 152; Khoo 1991,
H 17.2 cm p. 88, pl. 112.
Ming dynasty, late 16th or early
17th cent.
Inv.-No. OKS 1974-4, on loan from
the OKS
PROVENANCE: Acquired by the OKS
from Moon Gate Gallery, probably
found in Indonesia
75 KENDI This kendi made of fine porcelain has a flattened globular body, a cylindri-
cal neck and a tapering bulbous spout. The body is finely painted in shades
Porcelain, decorated in underglaze of cobalt blue with darker outlines filled in with light blue. The body shows
blue lotus scrolls, and the spout is painted with flowers. On the shoulder is a
H 13.0 cm band of lappets, and on the neck are bands of huiwen, a pattern that
Ming dynasty, c. 1500 resembles the Greek key fret ornament, under upright plantain leaves.
Inv.-No. GMP 1981-137
PROVENANCE: Donated by Mrs Muller- Ref.: Kendi of this type are found in collections in South East Asia as well as in the Middle East: Pope
Coelingh, found in Indonesia 1956, pl. 69, no. 29.472; Fox 1959, pl. 62; Ridho 1977, pl. 179, found in Aceh, Sumatra; Singapore 1984,
p. 64, pl. 21; Krahl and Ayers 1986, vol. 2, p. 546, no. 668; Goddio, Crick, Lam, Pierson and Scott 2002,
p. 106, pl. 15.
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