Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Swatow Ware Porcelain Charger Dish c. 1640 AD

Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Swatow Ware Porcelain Charger Dish c. 1640 AD Brief Description: Late Ming Dynasty, c. 1640 AD, Zhangzhou Prefecture, Fujian Province, China A mesmerising large Swatow (Zhangzhou) ware porcelain dish, beautifully decorated in underglaze cobalt blue with bold, freely painted phoenix birds and floral sprays, encircled by sketchy concentric bands. The painterly execution is vigorous and spontaneous, exemplifying the dynamic brushwork typical of Swatow wares. At the centre, a distinctive bisquited brown band provides contrast and textural depth. The reverse bears a concentric border adorned with small floral motifs. Produced in the coastal kilns of Zhangzhou, particularly around Pinghe County, Swatow ware represents a distinctive body of late Ming export porcelain made primarily for the Southeast Asian trade. Important kiln sites include Da Long and Er Long in Wuzhai, and Huazai Lou in Nansheng. Archaeological evidence suggests production between c. 1575 and 1650, with peak activity around 1620. Swatow ware is celebrated for its rustic charm and expressive spontaneity—often coarsely potted, under-fired, and bearing kiln grit on the glaze foot. These pieces were fired in dragon kilns (lung-yao) and produced in small-scale workshops, far removed from the industrial precision of Jingdezhen. Wheel-thrown or mould-formed, their decoration in underglaze blue cobalt remains one of the most evocative expressions of Ming folk artistry. Excellent condition. Wear commensurate with age and use. Glazing defects and firing flaws. Footring has kiln grits. Attributes: Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Circa: 1640 Porcelain Condition: Excellent condition. Wear commensurate with age and use. Glazing defects and firing flaws. Footring has kiln grits. Overall Measurements: INCHES & CENTIMETRES Height: 2.4'' | 6 cm Width: 11.1'' | 28.1 cm Depth: 11.1'' | 28.1 cm ^^ Fast & Free UK Delivery Included^^ *A Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) will be provided by artsonline with this piece* Delivery Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily, using only fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services. Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art and Antique pieces that we sell. We pack extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in perfect condition. For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items that can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approx. 7-14 working days. Returns Policy Artsonline provides a genuine no-quibble 14-day money-back refund policy (excluding the cost of Postage and Packaging). Pay securely - Telephone orders welcome Image result for payments accepted logos Secure-Payment-Vpadeb-sa-la-go-th-et-an-gt-005486-BACS-Order-PayPal-M/Card