Another item that we were originally going to keep for our collection, but since we are now focusing in a different area, we are offering in Tangrams. This is a lovely scarce item; a covered porcelain Zhangzhou ware circular box decorated in overglaze red and green enamels and dating to the late 16th early 17th century.

Polychrome boxes in the Fujian Swatow Zhangzhou kiln ware are extremely scarce. In Rita Tan's "Zhangzhou Ware Found in the Phillipines" 2007, a major monograph on the subject, the author shows only blue and white examples and only one of this shape and size. Futhermore, this, box appears to have the original polychrome painting -- it has not been "touched up" by later hands.

"Zhangzhou ware from Fujian was produced in the 16th and 17th centuries amidst a dramatic trading background. It played a significant role in China's ceramic trade overseas during the era when the new market in Europe was founded and the lifting of the trade ban in the Ming dynasty was known to have occurred. . . . . .The standard of production of Zhangzhou kilns may not have been at par with that of Jingdezhen, but the rustic charm of Zhangzhou ware has made it a much sought-after trade ceramic in Asia." Rita Tan op. cit.

Size： 2 3/8“ high; 4 5/8" diameter. Condition: nice genuine wear; some losses to the enamels; chips to the inside flange of the bottom section. Otherwise, no damage, restoration or repair that we can spot. Altogether a lovely example of a rare object.

Please note that owing to the value, shipping overseas will be expensive.

Please email with any questions, and please check out our other Chinese items on offer in Tangrams. Thanks for droppping by!