CIRCA 1710

The ship depicted on this dish is more similar to those found on late 17th Century Arita blue and white porcelain in the 'Van Frytom' style than to ships normally depicted on Chinese porcelain. The border design is also reminiscent of hanabishi borders found on Arita porcelain. For a very similar dish, compare the example in the Hodroff Collection, illustrated by D. S. Howard, op.cit., 1994, no.143, p.46, where the author says "The comparative rarity of this design suggests an initiative by a private trader with experience of Japan, rather than an order from the Dutch East India Company itself.". A plate with this design was sold in these Rooms, 17 November 1986, lot 377.