An unusual subject, made in the spirit of exoticism.
The plaque is a remarkable and exact rendition of a fine engraving published in the late 16th C.

The source for this decoration is an engraving by Baptista van Doetechum, published in "Itinerario, voyage, ofte schipvaert van Jan Huygen van Linschoten naer Oost ofte Portugaels Indien, 1579-1592". The book, published in 1596, describes the route followed by Jan Huygen van Linschoten as well as the interactions and settings he encountered on his travels, and was an important guide for the later Dutch travels to the Far East.

The engraving itself (see added picture) is entitled "Mesquita ofte tempel der Machometische Indianen welcke Seckte bynaer geheel Orienten doordrongen heeft", which translates to "Mesquita or the temple of the Machometan Indians whos sect has spread throughout almost the entire Orient".

A Dutch Delft bowl (inv. nr. EV. 232) in the collection of the Royal Museums of Art and History, Brussels is decorated with scenes from 3 enravings from the same publication, including this exact engraving, be it somewhat adapted to the shape of the bowl. That bowl is dated ca. 1700-1710 and was part of the Evenepoel collection. It's been thoroughly described in the Bulletin des Musées royaux d'Art et d'Histoire 1994, by Anne-Marie Mariën-Dugardin (p. 247-256, "Sources d'inspiration pour les décors d'un grand bol en faïence de Delft).

Condition: A restored break.

Size: 36 x 30 cm

Many thanks to Dr. Rainer Richter of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen, Dresden and Mrs. Claire Dumortier, Honorary Conservator of the Ceramics Collection at the Royal Museums of Art and History, Brussels for their help in identifying the source of this plaque.