17th century Kraak Charger
Circa 1680
Delft
W 13 3/4" diameter × H 2"
Stock # Marh2261
£2,250.00
Painted in the centre two seated figures, within a roundel decorated with floral and foliate devices and surrounded by four slightly fan-shaped panels of a figure seated on a terrace alternating with four panels of blossoms and scrolling foliage, all separated by stylized flowers between bands of squiggles on the cavetto and rim, the reverse with alternating circular and dash motifs, and the foot rim pierced with a hole for suspension.
These first pieces of Chinese porcelain were called ‘Kraakporselein’ (Kraak-porcelain) in Holland, a name which possibly derived from the Portugese ships which were called ‘caraccas’.