Blue and White Porcelain is probably the most celebrated of all Ceramic Art styles ever produced -- or at least the continuing outrageous enthusiasm of auction buyers gives this impression. 

Known as "Qinghua" in China, the style was well developed by the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368) but became world famous during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644).  Even today, many people use the terms "Ming" "Blue and White" synonymously.  The decorative style became the standard for Imperial Porcelain production in China and was much revered throughout Southeast Asia and the Middle-East because of vast trade networks existing since ancient times.

The western affection for Blue and White Porcelain began in 1603 when the Dutch East India Company sent a single ship to Amsterdam with a load of the "Chinese White Gold." It was sold for a colossal profit and the rest of Europe soon caught on.  The affection for Blue and White Porcelain continues relentlessly today. 

The center of production of Underglaze Blue Ceramics in China was Jingdezhen in Jianxi Province.  It was here that ample raw materials (such as 2 mountains of white kaolin clay) were available.  Chinese potters developed the technique of painting blue cobalt oxide on white clay and spraying a coating of clear glaze over top.  When heated in a kiln at high temperature, the ceramic and its decoration can remain in mint condition for centuries even if buried underwater or underground. 

Although imperial kilns in the Jingdezhen area were important, other locations such as Shantou (Swatow), Dehua and other parts of Fujian province also produced tradeware Porcelain that is found throughout Southeast Asia.

Plate with Fish Scene

CERAMIC ARTIFACT #bw-023808

DESCRIPTION:

The Blue and White dish has a fish (symbol of fertility) surrounded by water plants.  A floral scroll is painted around the cavetto.  The outside is decorated with hastily painted lotus petal panels.  

ORIGIN:

The plate probably originates  from Vietnam.  It was brought to Southeast Asia as a valuable trade-good by an ancient trading ship that later sunk into the sea.  After many centuries, the piece was rediscovered by deep-sea excavators of the shipwreck and subsequently acquired by The Chalre Collection through a registered dealer. 

AGE:

Late Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644)

MEASUREMENTS:

Height: 5cm (2in.)

Width or Depth: 24cm (9.5in.)

REFERENCES:

Artifacts with similar shape and/or decorations are found in various publications dealing with Anamese (Vietnamese) Ceramics including: Vietnamese Ceramics.  Other identical and/or similar pieces can be found in Lost At Sea: The Lena Shoal Junk, The Pearl Road: Tales of Treasure Ships and other publications dealing with Asian shipwreck excavations.    

Similar and/or identical items are also on display at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (UK), the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco (USA), the National Museum of Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), the National Museum of the Philippines (Manila) and other museums throughout the world with diverse collections of Asian ceramics.