Vase; Ming Dynasty, China, 17th century.

Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). Late period, China, early decades of the 17th century.
“Square blue-and-white porcelain bottle with birds and floral motifs.”
Export porcelain, Kraak type, decorated in cobalt blue under glaze.
Shows minor wear.
Measurements: 25 x 10 x 10 cm.

This bottle is an interesting example of Chinese export porcelain produced in the kilns of Jingdezhen during the final phase of the Ming Dynasty, when maritime trade fostered the creation of objects that combined Chinese techniques and decorative motifs with forms adapted to the demands of foreign markets. Its particular interest lies in its square shape, derived from European glass models used for the transport and storage of beverages, reinterpreted by Chinese potters using blue-and-white porcelain.

The form—with a prismatic body, rounded shoulders, and a narrow cylindrical neck—follows a design conceived to maximize space efficiency during storage and transport. This type was reproduced in Chinese porcelain during the early decades of the 17th century, retaining its European-inspired structure but incorporating a distinctly Eastern decorative style.

The decoration, executed in cobalt blue under glaze, features motifs of birds among flowering branches, vegetation, and landscape elements, distributed across the various sides of the vessel. The organization of the scenes into fields delimited by vertical lines and the geometric ornamentation of the shoulders are characteristic of late Ming Dynasty export ware. The alternation of blue hues and the spontaneity of the brushwork lend vitality to the compositions, while the unglazed base allows the nature of the ceramic body to be appreciated.

Of particular note is its typological relationship to a blue-and-white porcelain bottle held in the Shanghai Museum, produced in the kilns of Jingdezhen during the Tianqi reign (1621–1627). This example, also decorated with birds and flowers, shares the square shape, narrow neck, and dimensions very similar to those of the piece on display. The existence of these parallels allows it to be placed within a body of work characteristic of the early decades of the 17th century.

Blue-and-white porcelain from the late Ming Dynasty played a fundamental role in the development of the art trade between China and Europe. Through Portuguese trade networks and, later, the Dutch East India Company, these objects became extraordinarily widespread among European elites. The export porcelain known as Kraak was particularly prized for its combination of whiteness, blue decoration, and variety of forms, becoming a common feature of 17th-century European collections and interiors.
The significance of this production extended beyond its utilitarian function. Its presence in the still lifes of Dutch Golden Age painting attests to the prestige achieved by Chinese porcelain as a luxury item and a symbol of new international trade relations. Likewise, its spread helped transform European ceramic production, stimulating the imitation of its motifs and finishes in various manufacturing centers.