In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Dutch traders functioned as intermediaries between important Chinese blue-and-white porcelain kilns and their Middle-eastern and European export markets. Demand for these underglaze blue porcelain wares was so high that it became profitable for Iranian potters to create reproductions. Without the proper kaolin clay available in China and the necessary high-temperature kilns, these craftsmen were restricted to stonepaste, a type of stoneware resembling porcelain. Even so, they went as far as reproducing Chinese characters on their vessels¹, most likely to deceive those unable to tell the difference into thinking they were purchasing authentic Chinese blue-and-white ware. The British Museum website relates, "In 1660, a Dutch embassy offered a gift of bogus Chinese porcelain to the Safavid court of Isfahan. The Iranians noticed that the gift was in fact a product of their own country, and rejected it. Whether the Dutch were themselves fooled, or had hoped to dupe the Iranians, is unclear."²

Some examples, however, include dates and the names of their makers written in local script. This pouring vessel is dated AH 1025, corresponding to 1616 or 1617 CE in the Western calendar, and includes two inscriptions. On the lid can be read, "The work of Mahmud Micmar-i Yazdi," while on the foot is written, "Decorated by the craftsman Zari." This would indicate that not all these imitation porcelains were created with the intention of deceiving consumers, and that there was at least a local market for this imitation ware.

References:

(1) From the British Museum website dedicated to this object.

(2) Ibid.