An extremely rare 'winged hydra' blue and white porcelain bowl inscribed "Sapienti nihil novum", China, 2nd half Wanli period. Photo Nagel Auktionen

D. 34,4 cm. Estimate 10000/15000 €

This Wanli reign Kraak ware bowl is an extremely rare example of late Ming blue-and-white export porcelain brought to Portugal or Europe from Jingdezhen during the reign of King Philip III of Spain. 

The only piece similar to it, which is known to exist, is exhibited at the British Museum's Department of Asia (object reg. no: AC 1957,1216.19).

With its deep well and barbed edge, the bowl stands on a short foot and is decorated in underglaze blue. Illustrated on the exterior of the bowl are four armorial-style shields inspired by a western coat of arms. On a blue background, each shield illustrates a winged Hydra with five reptilian and two human heads, two hoofed legs and a tail. The shields are flanked by a scroll bearing the Latin inscription "SAPIENTI NIHIL NOVUM", 'to the wise man nothing is new'.

Stemming from the Lernaean Hydra of Greek mythology which Hercules slew as his second labour, the Hydra represents bravery and conquest. Though the depiction of the Hydra within a shield implies a European design source, the Hydra with two human heads is a most uncommon image whose origin is still unknown (Santos, 218).

The remaining motifs above the scroll band at the foot of the bowl are of Chinese origin; the exterior decorations include Buddhist pagodas and rosaries, ribbons, beaded charms with jewels and tassels, wave patterns and blooming lotus flowers. The centre of the bowl's interior is decorated with a crane in a lotus pond, from which ten side panels characteristic of Kraak ware radiate depicting flowering plants and fruiting saplings growing from behind rocks.

Property from an old European private collection

Cf. Santos, A. Varela, 'Portugal Na Porcelana Da China: 500 Andos De Comércio = Portugal in Porcelain from China : 500 Years of Trade' Lisboa: Artemágica, 2007. 216.

Nagel Auktionen. 2013/05/08. http://www.auction.de/