Dish
Unknown Artist
second quarter 17th century
Medium
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue and overglaze polychrome enamels
Dimensions
Diam. 7 7/8 in. (20 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
China · Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Transitional period
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase by subscription, 1879
Accession Number
79.2.1084
Tags
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 po...