This large dish with underglaze blue decorations features a central landscape of rocky islands at the top with pavilions and two islands are linked by a bridge with a central circular gate. In the foreground there is a boat and large lobsters emerging from waves. On the inner wall of the dish are four ogival medallions with floral motifs, separated by four round medallions with Arabic inscriptions translated as ‘Allah afi’ (God who gives health) and ‘Allah Shafi’ (God the healer).Zhangzhou wares such as this were commonly known as ‘Swatow ware’ due to the erroneous belief that the ware was shipped out from the port of Zhantou (Swatow). These wares were mainly made for export to Japan and Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. Chinese ceramics were highly prized in these places and were used extensively by the nobility and the elite as status symbols.
