A LARGE BLUE AND WHITE ‘BIRDS AND PAVILION’ BARBED-RIM CHARGER, LATE JIAJING-EARLY WANLI PERIOD
This lot is from a single owner collection and is therefore offered without reserve

China, c. 1560-1580. Well potted with deep rounded sides rising from a tapered foot to a wide everted foliate rim, finely painted in shades of cobalt blue to depict a pavilion at the well surrounded by pheasants, a goose, a duck, and other birds and insects, all within a double circle, the rim with a continuous landscape of pavilions on rocky islands alternating with fishing boats, and exterior with fruiting sprays and stylized foliage encircling the unglazed foot and base.

Provenance: Algemene Ethnografica en Kunsthandel Aalderink, Amsterdam, 11 February 1977. The Collection of Sam and Myrna Myers, Paris, France, acquired from the above. The sides with an old label ‘CC 338 c 100’ above the foot. Algemene Ethnografica en Kunsthandel Aalderink was established in 1929 by former teacher Jaques Aalderink, who developed a passion for non-European art during a time when such objects were readily available due to the Netherlands’ colonial history. A pioneer in the field, he specialized in a wide range of art from across the world including sculptures, bronzes, ceramics, lacquerware, weaponry, and textiles from the Far East, the Pacific, and Africa. He also founded the renowned Old Art and Antique Fair in Delft and hosted numerous exhibitions. Aalderink’s shop at the Spiegelgracht gained an excellent reputation and attracted an international clientele seeking unique and exotic pieces. Around 50 years ago it was taken over by W. E. Bouwman who since then has proudly carried on Aalderink’s work.
Condition: Good condition with minor wear and firing irregularities including warping, some kiln grit at the foot, dark spots, a glaze gap to the well, and little fritting at the rim. Two hairline cracks at the rim, a small nick to the foot, one with an associated shallow chip.

Weight: 2.6 kg
Dimensions: Diameter 43.2 cm

Literature comparison:
Compare a near-identical blue and white dish with birds in a landscape near a pavilion, dated ca. 1560-1580, 44.1 cm diameter, in the Rijksmuseum, object number AK-RAK-1971-9.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s London, 9 November 2004, lot 204
Price: GBP 2,390 or approx. EUR 5,900 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A large late Ming blue and white saucer-dish, Wanli (1573-1619)
Expert remark: Compare the closely related decoration, motif, and size (43 cm). Note the different rim.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s London, 5 April 2000, lot 26
Price: GBP 3,290 or approx. EUR 9,100 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A large late Ming blue and white dish, second half of the 16th century
Expert remark: Compare the related form and decoration. Note the different rim and the closely related size (44 cm).