Dish

Art Historical Context

This elegant porcelain dish, crafted in China during the second quarter of the 17 century amid the Ming dynasty's Transitional (1368–1644), a serene landscape with houses nestled among mountains, trees, and boats gliding on calm waters. Measuring 7⅞ inches in diameter, its wide, shallow form was ideal for serving delicacies, reflecting the era's blend of functionality and artistry. The dish showcases advanced ceramic techniques: underglaze painting, where cobalt pigment is applied beneath a transparent glaze and fired at high temperatures for a durable, vibrant hue, combined with overglaze polychrome enamels added afterward and fired at lower heat for colorful accents. This innovative layering, pioneered at private kilns after the fall of official imperial workshops, marked a shift toward bold, export-oriented wares popular in Europe. Acquired by subscription in 1879 for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection, this piece exemplifies Transitional porcelain's cultural bridge between imperial refinement and commercial vibrancy, offering a window into late Ming life's harmonious harmony with nature.