Vase; Ming Dynasty, China, 16th century.

Vase; Ming Dynasty, China, 16th century.
Kraak porcelain.
It shows slight wear on the rim.
Measurements: 25 x 10 x 10 cm.
A Ming Dynasty porcelain vessel with a square base and an elongated prismatic body. The shoulder area tapers toward a spherical shape, with the rim situated at the center, emerging from a narrow, cylindrical, and short body. Kraak porcelain is a type of Chinese export porcelain produced primarily during the late Ming Dynasty, under the reign of Wanli (1573–1620), but also during the Tianqi (1620–1627) and Chongzhen (1627–1644) reigns.It was one of the first Chinese export goods to reach Europe in large quantities and frequently appeared in Dutch Golden Age still lifes depicting foreign luxuries.
Porcelain known for its color as “cobalt blue” or “blue-and-white” was highly prized in Europe from the time of its earliest importation. In fact, it was so highly valued by other cultures—such as Islamic ones—that works intended for that market often ended up influencing European ceramic production, which sought to resemble as closely as possible this export-oriented production created in large quantities in China. It was not until around the mid-17th century that production began in this Eastern country; blue-and-white porcelain was among the first to arrive directly in Europe in large quantities.