1770 Dutch-Decorated Chinese Export Imari Porcelain Bowl

Details

Description

"East Meets West": Dutch Decorated Chinese Export "Amsterdams Bont" Imari Bowl,
Circa 1770

A vibrant and historically fascinating Chinese Export … Read more "East Meets West": Dutch Decorated Chinese Export "Amsterdams Bont" Imari Bowl,
Circa 1770

A vibrant and historically fascinating Chinese Export porcelain bowl, produced in the Qianlong period (circa 1770) and subsequently decorated in the Netherlands in the rare "Amsterdams Bont" style.

Originally fired in China as a standard blue and white vessel, this bowl was imported into Europe where Dutch enamellers—likely working in Delft or Amsterdam—applied overglaze iron-red and gilt decoration to transform it into the fashionable Imari palette. The result is a lush, multi-layered design featuring sprawling flowering plants, peonies, and rockwork in underglaze blue, highlighted and reimagined with bright Dutch enamels. The interior and exterior rims feature intricate diaper patterned bands, enriched with gold. This practice, sometimes known as "clobbering," created a hybrid object that perfectly encapsulates the 18th-century European fascination with colorful Asian ceramics.

Condition: Excellent antique condition. The overglaze enamels are well-preserved. No chips, cracks, or restoration.

Measurements:
Diameter: 9 inches (22.9 cm)
Height: 4 1/8 inches (10.2 cm)

Historical Context:

Amsterdams Bont (literally "Amsterdam Color" or "Gaudy") refers to the specific category of Chinese or Japanese porcelain that was over-decorated in the Netherlands during the 18th century. As the fashion shifted from blue and white to the colorful Japanese Imari style, Dutch merchants found themselves with a surplus of the former. To meet market demand, local workshops were commissioned to paint over the blue and white stock with reds, greens, and gold, creating a distinct and vibrant category of ceramics that merges Chinese potting with Dutch decorative sensibilities.

(Ref: NY8636/crrx) See less