Ming Dynasty Zhangzhou Swatow Porcelain Dragon Bowl – Chinese 16th/17th Century Wucai. 8″ diameter x 3.90″ tall. 20.32 cm diameter x 9.906 cm tall. Very unusual Ming bowl with expressive dragons. While the decoration of this bowl is somewhat unusual, a very similar bowl is published in Z hangzhou Ceramics 16th to 17th Centuries Found in Indonesia by Sumarah Adhyatman (Jakarta, Indonesia : Ceramic Society of Indonesia, [c1999]). Additionally, I have listed two examples from the same book showing similar coloration/contrast. Bowl is in overall good condition with two minor rim chips (see 8th and 9th images) and some firing flaws (see 10th image). Somewhat warped in firing, which is not unusual for these types of export pieces. Wear to enameling to the inside of the bowl and exterior, which can be seen in the images. I always confirm authenticity with experts prior to listing. Sweden where it has been for many years. Please reach out with any questions! Thank you for your interest and stay healthy and safe! Please see below for more images! A large family of export ceramics of the 16th and 17th century was called Swatow ware in the West and are still referred to by this name. Swatow wares are characterized by sand adhering to the bottom of individual pieces and are usually associated with over-glaze enamel decoration using a distinctive palette dominated by iron red, turquoise and black. However, it may also be decorated in underglaze blue or in slip. The name is derived from Shantou, a coastal town in southeastern Guangdong province. The ware seems to have been widely made in the Jiangxi, Fujian, Yunnan, and Guangdong provinces. At least one kiln producing this “Swatow” ware have now been discovered in Zhangzhou prefecture in Fujian province why the name Zhangzhou ware is now preferred by many Chinese scholars. A large and diversified family of provincial ceramics that were made in southern China in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries is loosely identified as “Swatow” ware, although the precise place or places of origin are not known. This rather crude “Swatow” pottery often has a distinctive slanting foot and large amounts of coarse sand adhering to the base and foot. “Swatow” wares have been decorated in a number of ways. Some, are painted in underglaze blue; others have incised designs under whitish, blue, or celadon glazes. In one variety, painted slip designs have been used against pale grayish blue, light celadon, or brown grounds. Sometimes “Swatow” wares have been freely and vigorously painted in a combination of underglaze blue and overglaze enamels, or in various combinations of overglaze red, green, turquoise, black, and sepia enamels. Examples of Swatow wares are in the British Museum, Valenstein, Susan, Dish No. The item “Ming Dynasty Zhangzhou Swatow Porcelain Dragon Bowl Chinese Red Green Antique” is in sale since Wednesday, March 17, 2021. This item is in the category “Antiques\Asian Antiques\China\Vases”. The seller is “jga_1133″ and is located in Reading, Pennsylvania. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Featured Refinements: Ming Dynasty Porcelain
- Region of Origin: China
- Age: Pre-1800
- Primary Material: Porcelain & Pottery
- Original/Reproduction: Antique Original
- Color: Wucai
