A big Chinese Kraak blue and white 'Birds' platter (shallow bowl/charger/large dish). China, Ming dynasty (1368-1644, 大明), Wanli period (1572-1620, 萬曆), late 16th / early 17th century. Similar examples are preserved in Princesshof Museum in Netherlands and other collections. Impressive example of late Ming ceramics! Potted in shallow inverted domical section, the interior surfaces painted with strong cobalt underglaze blue in radiating panels of fruiting plants and Chinese symbols encircling roundel with birds amongst rockwork and plants. The exterior with circles containing flowers. The glazed base and unglazed foot with kiln grit, typical for the original period ware. Typical for period radiating marks to the base. Two labels on the base: - 'VAN DER VEN & VAN DER VEN / ANTIQUAIRS / PEPERSTRAAT 6 / s-HERTOGENBOSH' - antique dealer active from c. 1930; - 'Chinese porselein, Wan-li periode 17de eeuw' - English: Chinese porcelain, Wanli period, 17th century. Dimensions: diameter - 28 cm; height - 5,7 cm. Weight - 709 g. Provenance: - Van der Ven antique dealer (label to the base); - around 1990 purchased by present owner, later in his private collection in The Netherlands. Daylight pictures included. Conditions report: excellent condition, minimal fritting to the top-rim only. No cracks, no chips, no hairlines, no restorations. Typical for period firing faults. Some use-related scratches to the glaze. Strong white light tested. Check pictures for details. Worldwide delivery with online tracking.