A Huge Inscribed Ming Porcelain `Swatow` Ware Dish, Late Ming Dynasty, Wanli - Tianqi Period c. 1580-1620. From the Kilns in Pinghe or Hua`an Kilns in Heping County, Zhangzhou Prefecture, Fujian Province. The Center of this Ming Polychrome Dish has a Compass Which has a Two Character Inscription in the Center 太極 Tienxi Yi (Unity Under Heaven), Arranged Around the Edge of the Compass is a Twenty Four Character Inscription Representing the Jikkan Junishi, Literally `Ten Heavenly Stems` and `Twelve Terrestrial Branches` of the Chinese Zodiac. The Border is of Leaping Carp and Lotus rising from its Roots. In the outer border 100's of Swastika's. Literature: For a very similar Ming Swatow ware dish see : Zhangzhou Export Porcelain, the So-Called Swatow Wares (Various authors, Jorge Welsh Books, 2006 ISBN 0-9550992-4-2) page 133, item 28. For another Ming porcelain dish of this design see : Zhanzhou (Swatow) Ceramics, Sixteenth to Seventeenth Centuries Found in Indonesia (Sumarah Adhyatman, The Ceramic Society of Indonesia,1999) page 147, plate 193. For further Ming dishes with this design see : Swatow (Barbara Harrison, Museum Het Princessehof, 1979) plates 104 and 109, for a dish with a different border see 206. Another Ming Swatow porcelain dish with a compass design from the Percival David collection is now in the British Museum, reference PDF 700. A large fragment of a bowl with a similar central design was excavated from the Dongkou kiln site in Wuzhai, Pinhe County. Diameter: 39,0 centimeter Condition: The object is in good condition,some shallow flakes only, one larger. No hairlines or restorations. The condition is carefully checked with strong UV-light and bright translucent white light. Shipping method: This lot will be securely packed and shipped with insurance, without stand. Buy multiple lots from this seller and save on shipping costs, for multiple lots you’ll pay the shipping costs only once.