Dish with John the Baptist

Unknown

ca. 1715–25 · Porcelain painted with cobalt blue under a transparent glaze · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Christian symbols appear on Chinese porcelain as early as the early sixteenth century, but this unusually large plate is one of the first known works with a biblical scene. The composition depicting John the Baptist and Christ in the Jordan River is based on a passage from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, as indicated by the inscription ("MAT. 3, 16"). The plate may have been intended for export to Europe or for use by recently converted Christians in China.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1715–25

Medium

Porcelain painted with cobalt blue under a transparent glaze

Culture

Chinese, made for export

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of R. Albuquerque, 2016