Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province; Qing Dynasty, early 18th century
Porcelain with underglaze blue decoration (D. 20 cm)
The scene depicted appears on many Chinese and Japanese plates and has traditionally been identified as a view of Deshima Island near Nagasaki, which was the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company in Japan from 1641 to 1862. However, it is now thought to represent the Dutch coastal town of Scheveningen. The scene first appeared on Japanese dishes towards the end of the 17th century (see Ch222), but the motif itself probably derives from a Dutch Delft plate painted in the style of Frederik van Frytom (1632-1702).
Provenance: R&G McPherson Antiques, London, 12 June 2002 (Ch223); Anthony du Boulay