16th Century Late Ming Dynasty Zhangzhou Swatow Celadon Chargers - Set of 5

Details

Description

Description
An exceptional and rare curated collection of five (5) large antique Chinese trade porcelain chargers (basins), dating to the … Read more Description
An exceptional and rare curated collection of five (5) large antique Chinese trade porcelain chargers (basins), dating to the late 16th to early 17th Century (Late Ming Dynasty). Produced in the provincial Minyao (people's kilns) of the Zhangzhou region (historically referred to as Swatow ware), these heavy celadon-glazed pieces were crafted primarily for the maritime export trade across Southeast Asia and Japan.
Each charger features fluid, rapid, and expressive hand-painted underglaze iron-blue/cobalt decoration. The central roundels showcase individual calligraphic variations of longevity symbols or stylized floral motifs, framed by the distinctive unglazed orange biscuit firing ring—a classic signature of how these pieces were stacked in the kiln 400 years ago.
The undersides boast incredibly robust, heavily sand-encrusted foot rims and iron-spotted utility glazes that perfectly illustrate their authentic age, production history, and seafaring trade heritage. Finding a matching set of five variants intact presents a magnificent opportunity for designers and serious collectors of early Chinese ceramics.
Dimensions
• Diameter: 12 inches per charger
• Depth: Approx. 2.5–3 inches (Shallow basin/soup plate profile)
Styles
• Chinese
• Ming
• Rustic / Folk Art
Condition Report
• Condition Tier: Very Good Antique Condition (Given age and utilitarian nature).
• Details: Four (4) out of the five chargers are completely structurally sound and ring beautifully true when gently tapped. One (1) charger exhibits two tight hairline cracks extending from the rim down toward the center biscuit ring, which remain stable and do not diminish its immense decorative value. General glaze anomalies, minor pitting, firing lines, and heavy kiln-sand grit to the undersides are present across all pieces and are entirely commensurate with authentic Ming Dynasty export production. Faint, old tape residue is present on the underside of one base. See less