"Kraak" porcelain
Is Chinese export porcelain typically from the period 1580-1640's. It is characterised by shapes seemingly related to metal and by its busy decoration mostly organized in radiating panels. The Kraak style occurs well into the 1700's during which period it is transformed into famille verte. It is contemporary with and somehow connected to the European Barock. Kraak porcelain was introduced to the west by Portuguese traders who in the 16th century began to import late Ming dynasty blue-and-white porcelain into Europe. It is generally believed that the name "kraak" is taken after the Portuguese ships, called carracks, in which the porcelain was transported. In 1602 and 1604 the two Portuguese ships the San Yago and the Santa Catarina, were captured by the Dutch, and their cargo which included thousands of porcelain pieces was promptly auctioned off in Holland to eager buyers including the Kings of England and of France while igniting the European mania for porcelain which would last for some 200 years. The earliest occurrences of the term "Kraak" are from the mid 17th century and seems to have carried the meaning Chinese true porcelain as opposed to Dutch faiance. The trade in Kraak porcelain continued until the mid-17th century when civil wars, caused by the fall of the Ming dynasty in 1644, disrupted the Chinese supplies.
Perfectly beliveable plates and dishes in the radial sectioned Kraak style was made seemingly interrupted into the Kangxi period. Chinese plates immitating the Japanese and possible Dutch faiance copies in kraak style makes their last appearance in the Yongzheng periond c 1730.
Kraak porcelin has a special character which makes them attractive to many collectors. During the 19th and 20th century very good copies of mostly deep dishes was made in Japan for practical use since this ko sometsuke was much appreciated. Recently also very modern copies have begun to occur on the antiques market. There are no easy way to rule out modern copies but, too thick paste, soft rather then glossy glaze, lack of firing faults, fake or no chatter marks, are all bad signs while grit, flaws, pittings, cracks, discoloring, blisters and radiating "chatter" marks on the flat portion of he base, plus kiln grit stuck in a convincing way to the foot rim, are all good signs. The edges are usually also thin and "mouse nibbled" on genuine pieces. The blisters under the glaze which causes this, was a manufacturing fault which were common during this period. Still, quite a few Kraak dishes have perfect edges.
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