Wanli Kraak Klapmuts – Birds on a Branch

Underglaze blue Chinese porcelain bowl, c. 1620.
 
Dimensions: Approximately 8½” diameter.
 
Decoration:
The border is decorated with eight alternating decorative panels, four large and four small. 
 
Two of the large panels are decorated with an unusual mask often referred to as a “taotie”, a Chinese symbol intended to ward off evil spirits. The other two large panels are decorated with a diaper pattern. Rinaldi in “Kraak Porcelain, A Moment In The History Of Trade” at p. 130 raises the possibility that the masks could represent the Indian mythological figure “Gala”. 
 
In the cavetto below the masks are panels containing flowers while below the diaper patterns are panels containing precious objects. 
 
The narrow panels contain ribbons. 
 
The central design is of two birds on a tree branch. Beside and behind them are vertical branches with stylized leaves and flowers.
 
The reverse of the rim is decorated with three flowering vines, and the reverse of the body is decorated with alternating large panels of stylized flowers and narrow panels with a linear design.
 
The foot is encircled with two thin lines, and the base is unmarked.
 
This style of bowl is known as a Kaplmuts, a name derived from a Dutch cap of this shape. Klapmutsen are relatively shallow bowls that were heavily imported to Europe. A hypothesis is that they were better able to fit European metal spoons of the 16th and 17th century than traditional deeper Chinese bowls. 
 
This style of decoration is classified by Rinaldi in “Kraak Porcelain, A Moment In The History Of Trade” as Klapmuts Group V.
 
References:
Rinaldi, “Kraak Porcelain, A Moment In The History Of Trade”.
Welsh, “Kraak Porcelain”.
 
Condition: In excellent condition consistent with age and usage. Please examine the photos; they are part of the description.
 
Please note, I do NOT issue partial refunds. If you believe that my description is not accurate, I will refund your purchase price upon receipt of the item in the same condition as it was sent under the terms of the return policy in this listing.
 
I also do not ship to post office boxes.