Lot 139

A large blue and white 'Grape' charger, with a central decoration of grapes and grape vines, the border with flowers alternated by symbols of good fortune, the reverse side with sprays of flowers, China, Ming dynasty, Jiajing period (1522-1566) -44,5 cm, crack to the base-_x000D_ The grape vine design in the central part of this charger was a popular theme for decoration during the Ming dynasty. Grapes are a symbol of abundance, and were first grown in China in the Western Han dynasty (206 BC - AD9)._x000D_ _x000D_ Chinese porcelain of the 14th, 15th and 16th century found its way to the Middle-East and the Near East, and especially to the Ottoman Empire, either through gifts or as spoils of war. Chinese designs were extremely influential with the pottery manufacturers at Iznik, Turkey. The Ming "grape" design in particular was highly popular and was extensively reproduced under the Ottoman Empire._x000D_ Purchased at Sotheby Mak van Way, Amsterdam, 21 May 1981, lot # 21._x000D_ An identical dish is in the Amaral Cabral Collection, published in 'Azul e Branco da China – Porcelana ao Tempo dos Descobrimentos', page 78–79, catalogue entry 18.