Object Description
Chinese early 17th century – Ming – Blue and white porcelain Kraak ‘crow cup / krai Cup’ made at Jingdezhen for export to Europe this type was mainly with the Dutch East India Company and exported into the Netherlands.
Made in the 17th century between 1615 – 1630 according to Maura Rinaldi in Kraak Porcelain see plate 181 shape iv.i . The well potted body is lightly molded with a barbed rim
The outside is painted with panels of auspicious motif of items associated with the scholar all the panels are separated by a dagger line. To the inside alternating flowerheads or fern frond which is very unusual to the side and a bird perched on a rock with water plants to the base, this is the reason for the name – crow cup
Kraak was not appreciated by the Chinese potters and less care was taken of its production which allowed for kiln grit to adhere to foot rims and small knocks or chips to be glazed over
Excellent example of type