Dish, anonymous, c. 1600 - c. 1624
The Dutch East India Company (VOC) began trading in Chinese porcelain in the 17th century. The borders of dishes and bowls from this period are often divided into panels. This kind of ceramics is known as Kraak porcelain, after the caracca, or carrack, a type of Portuguese ship in which it was transported. The decorations on this dish are executed with great spontaneity, evident in the large flowers and the cloud behind the bird in flight.