Early Chinese Provincial Swatow Ware Blue and White Porcelain Bowl.

With blue/black underglaze slip painted decoration of plants growing from woven baskets interspersed by brushy curls, centering an unglazed ring surrounding a central brushwork character encircled by a blue ring, verso the thick greyish glaze decorated with multiple rings, raised on an unglazed foot

Size: 11 x 11 x 2 1/4 in. 

Swatow ware, also known as Zhangzhou ware, refers to a distinctive group of Chinese export ceramics produced primarily during the late Ming dynasty, approximately between 1575 and 1650. Contrary to its Western name, which associates it with the port of Swatow (modern-day Shantou), these ceramics were likely manufactured in the coastal kilns of Zhangzhou, Fujian province, and exported through ports like Yuegang. Characterized by their thick, coarse bodies and sandy bottoms, Swatow ware pieces often feature bold, sketchy decorations in underglaze blue and overglaze enamels, including red, green, turquoise, black, and yellow. Common forms include large dishes and bowls, frequently adorned with motifs such as water birds, landscapes, and stylized floral patterns. These ceramics were predominantly produced for export to Southeast Asia and Japan, reflecting the dynamic trade networks of the period. While Swatow ware was not widely collected in China, it remains highly regarded in regions where it was exported, with notable collections housed in museums like the Princessehof Ceramics Museum in the Netherlands.

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