Rare Blue and White Folly fort dish

Finely decorated with a scene of the Dutch Folly Fort

With two large barges moored to the side

The walled ‘fort’ containing a temple and a grove of trees

Surrounded by various small boats

Qianlong C1780

Diameter; 9 5/8″ (24.4 cm)

Condition; perfect

See ‘Treasures of Chinese Export Ceramics from the Peabody Essex Museum’ No 52. Page 146

For a similar dish

In the Ming Dynasty the Chinese had constructed two forts in the Pearl River as defences

For the city of Guangzhou (Canton)

Due to developments in weaponry they were redundant by the 18thc

The Dutch and French were then allowed to make use of them as warehouses

Being known as the French and Dutch Folly Forts

The Dutch Fort was directly opposite the city and just half a mile from the hongs.

Where they were  given permission to build a hospital.

However, they were later discovered to be bringing guns