Chinese Swatow Ware Bowl, Ming Dynasty 16/17th century

A well-shaped deep bowl with underglaze blue centre and overglaze enamels in red oxide and green. Divided on the inside into segments and on the outside into cartouches, freely drawn plants alternate with a bold circle motif against a red diaper pattern.

In remarkably good condition with no cracks or chips and little wear to the enamels. Swatow ware is often underfired, giving the enamels a more matt finish than contemporary Jingdezhen porcelain. Some kiln grit, primarily to the unglazed foot.

Swatow ware is a loose grouping of mainly late Ming dynasty Chinese export porcelain wares initially intended for the Southeast Asian market. The traditional name in the West arose because Swatow, or present-day Shantou, was the South Chinese port in Guangdong province from which the wares were thought to have been shipped. The many kilns were probably located all over the coastal region, but mostly near Zhangzhou, Fujian Province.

Many authorities now prefer to call the wares Zhangzhou ware, as it seems that Swatow did not become an important export port until the 19th century, and the wares were actually probably exported from Yuegang, now Haicheng in Longhai City, Zhangzhou. Main production dates remain uncertain, but are thought to be between about 1575–1650.