Antique 17th century Delft Blue and White Plate, Chinoiserie decor with a bird, circa 1690

A finely painted Dutch Delft blue and white plate, dating from the late seventeenth century, circa 1690.

The centre is decorated in cobalt blue with an exotic bird perched among flowering branches, foliage and stylised rockwork. Smaller floral sprays and insects are arranged around the border. Fine dark outlines, combined with carefully modulated blue washes, give the decoration clarity and depth.

The composition reflects the influence of Chinese and Japanese export porcelain circulating in the Dutch Republic during the second half of the seventeenth century. Delft painters adapted motifs such as exotic birds, flowering plants, insects and pierced rocks into compositions that were increasingly independent of their Asian prototypes.

The refined painting, controlled use of line and wash, and the quality of the glaze compare closely with the accomplished blue and white Delftware produced by leading factories such as De Grieksche A, De Metaale Pot and De Paauw during the final decades of the seventeenth century. As the plate is unmarked, however, it cannot be securely attributed to a specific factory.

Good antique condition; some usual wear and chipping to the rim, consistent with age and material.

23 cm diameter (9 inch)