Small Chinese Wanli Kraak Ware Bowl Late Ming 16th/17th Century

A very old Kraak bowl made during the Chinese Ming Dynasty with alternating panels of flowers and precious objects. The central medallion inside the bowl is a water scene with lotus and water bugs.  

 

The thinly potted porcelain bowl has been covered in a bluish tinged, very soft, unctuous glaze that feels very soft to the touch. The cobalt used is a nice deep blue. The mouth rim has a slight foliate edge.

 

 The bowl has a raised foot that is unglazed and a glazed base. It has no marks or labels.

 

 

4 1/8” (10.5 cm) diameter x 2 1/8” (5.4 cm) tall. Weighs 4.7 oz (130 g)

 

 

There are no hairlines, breaks, repairs or big chips. There are flea bites on mouth rim and slight crazing to the glaze. A short straight line was scratched into the glaze on the base; this was most likely done to identify the bowl to an owner. There are kiln flaws, such as (many) cobalt explosions, pin hole reserves, and bumps.

 

A very old blue and white bowl for a collection. I love the busy Kraak ware designs and detail.