Lot 58

A Chinese Kraak 'klapmuts' vibrantly decorated in underglaze blue, the center depicting a grasshopper on a rock amidst flowers and an insect hovering in the air, the cavetto with four cartouches enclosing flowers and auspicious symbols, each separated by a narrow panel with ribbons, above the cartouches two taotie masks alternated by trellis work. The quality of the blue and white on this klapmuts is remarkably bright and finely executed. An identical bowl is illustrated in Maura Rinaldi, 'Kraak Porcelain - A moment in the history of trade', Bamboo Publishing, London, 1989, Page 131, Plate 143. China, Wanli period ca. 1605-1615 _h. 4,5 cm, D. 15 cm, excellent condition-