The origins of Kraak porcelain in the late Ming Dynasty

Abstract

Kraak porcelain is a Chinese export characterized mainly by blue and white painting and paneled decoration with popular motifs from the late Ming Dynasty. This study sets focus on the origins of Kraak porcelain based on its concept, type, and decoration, supported by the use of philological and archeological methods. 0The analysis leads to the conclusion that the origins of Kraak porcelain are not an accidental result of Chinese porcelain development but the achievement of various influences, both from East and West.0The origins of decoration and iconography were derived from Chinese ink painting and woodblock prints of the Ming Dynasty. The art of Southeast Asia, The Middle East, and Europe influenced the prototype of the creation of Kraak ware in type and ornament, which was designed specifically for these markets.0The pluralistic impact also considers European ornaments, Islamic pottery paintings, and contemporary popular religious elements.