Plate - Earthenware

Rare Delft blue-and-white Chinoiserie plate – The Grieksche A (Adrianus Kocx), c. 1686–1701
A beautiful and authentic late-17th-century Delft earthenware (faience) plate with a refined blue-and-white Chinoiserie decoration. The central dish is masterfully hand-painted with a traditional Chinese garden scene. On the right stands an elegant Lange Lijs (Chinese lady) beside a gnarled pine and a rugged rock, symbols of a long and steadfast life. On the left is a walled pavilion with a seated figure. The rim is richly decorated with stylized cartouches bearing flower and fruit motifs, separated by a fine geometric diaper pattern.

Marks and provenance:
Factory mark: The back is glazed in underglaze blue and marked with the sought-after monogram AK. This mark is specifically attributable to Adrianus Kocx, the famous owner of the Delft porcelain factory De Grieksche A during its absolute flourishing period (1686–1701). This is the same factory that, in this period, produced prestigious commissions for Queen Mary II.
Featuring a charming, old hand-written collection label ("Eigendom Paul & Wil") with an inventory arrow pointing to the mark, testifying to a long stay in a careful private collection.

Specifications:
Material: Delftware (faience) with tin glaze.
Diameter: exactly 22.3 cm (standard size for a dinner plate from this period).
Production period: ca. 1686–1701 (Late 17th century / William & Mary period).
Back features: Equipped with three authentic kiln-firing marks (firing points) from the firing process.

Condition:
The plate is in a beautiful, original state appropriate to its venerable age of over 320 years. There is edge wear typical of antique Delftware (fritting), with the yellow-beige body showing faintly in a few spots. The glaze displays a lovely, fine craquelure. No large cracks or major restorations visible.