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ID #SA1216731
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£335
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Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Swatow Ware Porcelain Charger Dish C. 1640 Ad
For sale by Artsonline
for sale €392     $425
£335
Artsonline

Artsonline

Sellingantiques Verified Since Dec 2018
Browse dealers 350 items
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    Specialising in fine art & quality pottery - worldwide delivery - secure payments
Id #SA1216731
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Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Swatow Ware Porcelain Charger Dish C. 1640 Ad

17th century
For Sale by Artsonline
Description

Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Swatow Ware Porcelain Charger Dish c. 1640 AD

Brief Description:

Late Ming Dynasty, c. 1640 AD, Zhangzhou Prefecture, Fujian Province, China

A mesmerising large Swatow (Zhangzhou) ware porcelain dish, beautifully decorated in underglaze cobalt blue with bold, freely painted phoenix birds and floral sprays, encircled by sketchy concentric bands. The painterly execution is vigorous and spontaneous, exemplifying the dynamic brushwork typical of Swatow wares. At the centre, a distinctive bisquited brown band provides contrast and textural depth. The reverse bears a concentric border adorned with small floral motifs.

Produced in the coastal kilns of Zhangzhou, particularly around Pinghe County, Swatow ware represents a distinctive body of late Ming export porcelain made primarily for the Southeast Asian trade. Important kiln sites include Da Long and Er Long in Wuzhai, and Huazai Lou in Nansheng. Archaeological evidence suggests production between c. 1575 and 1650, with peak activity around 1620.

Swatow ware is celebrated for its rustic charm and expressive spontaneity—often coarsely potted, under-fired, and bearing kiln grit on the glaze foot. These pieces were fired in dragon kilns (lung-yao) and produced in small-scale workshops, far removed from the industrial precision of Jingdezhen. Wheel-thrown or mould-formed, their decoration in underglaze blue cobalt remains one of the most evocative expressions of Ming folk artistry.

Excellent condition. Wear commensurate with age and use. Glazing defects and firing flaws. Footring has kiln grits.

Attributes:

Chinese

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

Circa: 1640

Porcelain

Condition:

Excellent condition. Wear commensurate with age and use. Glazing defects and firing flaws. Footring has kiln grits.

Overall Measurements:

INCHES & CENTIMETRES

Height: 2.4'' | 6 cm

Width: 11.1'' | 28.1 cm

Depth: 11.1'' | 28.1 cm

^^ Fast & Free UK Delivery Included^^

*A Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) will be provided by artsonline with this piece*

Delivery

Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily, using only fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services.

Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art and Antique pieces that we sell.

We pack extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in perfect condition.

For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items that can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approx. 7-14 working days.

Returns Policy

Artsonline provides a genuine no-quibble 14-day money-back refund policy

(excluding the cost of Postage and Packaging).

Pay securely - Telephone orders welcome

Image result for payments accepted logos

Secure-Payment-VPADeb-sa-la-go-th-et-an-gt-005486-BACS-Order-PayPal-M/Card

Date of Manufacture

Artsonline has dated this Ming Dynasty Porcelain Charger to the 17th Century.

Independent Date Check ID 09517117
Dealer's Item Date17th Century
Sellingantiques Date17th Century
Sellingantiques agingItem 350-455 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 17TH CENTURY:
Unglazed ring in the centre: stacking method used in early provincial kilns.
Rough unglazed base with wheel marks: rapid hand-throwing on an export potter's wheel.
Greyish cobalt under thick glaze: natural mineral blue before refined modern pigments.
Iron spots and pinholes in the surface: early wood-fired kiln conditions.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Physical Dimensions
Height
6cm (2.36")
Width
28.1cm (11.06")
Depth
28.1cm (11.06")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1216731
Dealers Notes

CONTACT US:

Please feel free to call us.

We have a friendly & professional team on hand who are here to help you with any queries you may have.

Tel: 01749 595 507

Mobile: 07784 085 135

Outside the UK:

Tel: 0044 1749 595 507

Cell: 0044 7784 085 135

PAYMENT:

We accept all major credit/debit cards, PayPal, Square and Bank transfer (BACS).

Description
Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Swatow Ware Porcelain Charger Dish c. 1640 AD

Brief Description:

Late Ming Dynasty, c. 1640 AD, Zhangzhou Prefecture, Fujian Province, China

A mesmerising large Swatow (Zhangzhou) ware porcelain dish, beautifully decorated in underglaze cobalt blue with bold, freely painted phoenix birds and floral sprays, encircled by sketchy concentric bands.

“
The painterly execution is vigorous and spontaneous, exemplifying the dynamic brushwork typical of Swatow wares.
Artsonline

At the centre, a distinctive bisquited brown band provides contrast and textural depth. The reverse bears a concentric border adorned with small floral motifs.

fig 1. A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring.
fig 1. Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Swatow Ware Porcelain Charger Dish C. 1640 Ad

Produced in the coastal kilns of Zhangzhou, particularly around Pinghe County, Swatow ware represents a distinctive body of late Ming export porcelain made primarily for the Southeast Asian trade. Important kiln sites include Da Long and Er Long in Wuzhai, and Huazai Lou in Nansheng. Archaeological evidence suggests production between c. 1575 and 1650, with peak activity around 1620.

fig 2. A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring.
fig 2. Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Swatow Ware Porcelain Charger Dish C. 1640 Ad

Swatow ware is celebrated for its rustic charm and expressive spontaneity—often coarsely potted, under-fired, and bearing kiln grit on the glaze foot. These pieces were fired in dragon kilns (lung-yao) and produced in small-scale workshops, far removed from the industrial precision of Jingdezhen. Wheel-thrown or mould-formed, their decoration in underglaze blue cobalt remains one of the most evocative expressions of Ming folk artistry.

fig 3. A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring.
fig 3. Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Swatow Ware Porcelain Charger Dish C. 1640 Ad

Excellent condition. Wear commensurate with age and use. Glazing defects and firing flaws. Footring has kiln grits.

Attributes:

Chinese

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

Circa: 1640

Porcelain

Condition:

Excellent condition. Wear commensurate with age and use. Glazing defects and firing flaws. Footring has kiln grits.

fig 4. A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring.
fig 4. Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Swatow Ware Porcelain Charger Dish C. 1640 Ad

Overall Measurements:

INCHES & CENTIMETRES

Height: 2.4'' | 6 cm

Width: 11.1'' | 28.1 cm

Depth: 11.1'' | 28.1 cm

^^ Fast & Free UK Delivery Included^^

A Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) will be provided by artsonline with this piece*

fig 5. A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring.
fig 5. Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Swatow Ware Porcelain Charger Dish C. 1640 Ad

Delivery

Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily, using only fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services.

Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art and Antique pieces that we sell.

fig 6. A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring.
fig 6. Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Swatow Ware Porcelain Charger Dish C. 1640 Ad

We pack extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in perfect condition.

For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items that can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approx. 7-14 working days.

fig 7. A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring.
fig 7. Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Swatow Ware Porcelain Charger Dish C. 1640 Ad

Returns Policy

Artsonline provides a genuine no-quibble 14-day money-back refund policy

(excluding the cost of Postage and Packaging).

Pay securely - Telephone orders welcome

Image result for payments accepted logos

Secure-Payment-VPADeb-sa-la-go-th-et-an-gt-005486-BACS-Order-PayPal-M/Card

Date of Manufacture

Artsonline has dated this Ming Dynasty Porcelain Charger to the 17th Century.

Independent Date Report ID 09517117
Dealer's Item Date17th Century
Sellingantiques dating17th Century
Sellingantiques agingItem 350-455 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 17th Century:
Unglazed ring in the centre: stacking method used in early provincial kilns.
Rough unglazed base with wheel marks: rapid hand-throwing on an export potter's wheel.
Greyish cobalt under thick glaze: natural mineral blue before refined modern pigments.
Iron spots and pinholes in the surface: early wood-fired kiln conditions.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Height
6cm (2.36")
Width
28.1cm (11.06")
Depth
28.1cm (11.06")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1216731
Artsonline
Artsonline
Sellingantiques verified Since Dec 2018

Specialising in fine art & quality pottery - worldwide delivery - secure payments

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Artsonline Profile Page

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A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring.
1 / 16
Archive I A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring.

Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Swatow Ware Porcelain Charger Dish C. 1640 Ad

Archive II A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring. View II
Archive III A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring. View III
Archive IV A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring. View IV
Archive V A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring. View V
Archive VI A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring. View VI
Archive VII A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring. View VII
Archive VIII A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring. View VIII
Archive IX A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring. View IX
Archive X A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring. View X
Archive XI A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring. View XI
Archive XII A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring. View XII
Archive XIII A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring. View XIII
Archive XIV A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring. View XIV
Archive XV A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring. View XV
Archive XVI A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring. View XVI
Enlarged Archival View
Location
Bristol
Avon
United Kingdom
Verified Since Dec 2018
Items For Sale 350
Items Sold 235
Artsonline
Artsonline
Verified Since Dec 2018
View Dealer Info
Location: Bristol, Avon, United Kingdom
Verified
Dec 2018
For Sale
350
Sold
235
A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring.
Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Swatow Ware Porcelain Charger Dish c. 1640 AD
Ref: SA1216731
A large circular Ming Dynasty Swatow porcelain charger displaying hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs around an unglazed central ring.
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Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectChargers & Platter Dishes
  • Period17th century
  • StyleMing Dynasty
  • MaterialPorcelain, Cobalt Glaze
  • ColourOff-White and Grey-Blue
  • MotifsPhoenix motifs, Unglazed bisque ring, Cobalt blue underglaze, Concentric circular rings
  • SizeH 6 cm (2 in) x W 28.1 cm (11 in) x D 28.1 cm (11 in)

This large Chinese Ming Dynasty Swatow ware porcelain charger dish dates to c. 1640 AD and originates from the Zhangzhou Prefecture in Fujian Province. The off-white dish features hand-painted grey-blue phoenix motifs and floral sprays, encircled by sketchy concentric bands and an unglazed central bisque ring that reveals a contrasting brown band. It measures 6 cm high, 28.1 cm wide, and 28.1 cm deep. The piece exhibits wear commensurate with age and use, alongside glazing defects, firing flaws, and kiln grits on the footring. In a modern home, this charger sits on a sideboard top as a decorative display object.

Swatow ware, also known as Zhangzhou ware, refers to regional Chinese export ceramics produced predominantly in Fujian province during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Named after the port of Shantou (Swatow) from where items were shipped, these ceramics were crafted primarily for Southeast Asian, Japanese, and European trade networks.

These chargers were formed from coarse porcelain clay and painted using freehand underglaze cobalt blue decoration before being covered in a transparent or slightly opaque glaze. Kiln construction required placing dishes on beds of coarse sand, which characteristically fused to the unglazed foot rims during high-temperature firing.

Authentic pieces typically exhibit spontaneous, rapid brushwork depicting motifs such as phoenixes, dragons, or landscapes, alongside a visible unglazed ring in the interior basin where stacked dishes sat in the kiln. Sand or grit encrustation adhering to the foot rim and base is a primary physical signature of this regional production.

Large historic dishes are frequently mounted on plate stands atop console tables, sideboards, or within open shelving displays to highlight their painterly motifs. Alternatively, secure wall mounting hardware allows these circular forms to serve as sculptural focal points in dining rooms or entrance halls.

Glazed underglaze ceramics should be dusted regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth and cleaned sparingly using warm water and mild dishwashing detergent. Abrasive cleaners, harsh chemical solvents, and sudden temperature shifts should be strictly avoided to preserve the integrity of historic glazes and body clays.
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