Blue and White
No 2273 Japanese Ko Imari Meisen-de Kraak style dish -1780
No 2273 Japanese Ko Imari Meisen-de Kraak style dish -1780
Japanese Ko Imari Chrysanthemum and Rocks Meisan-de Kraak style dish – c.1780. A good quality Arita moulded dish with barbed rim (lotus form) with a Kraak style pattern in reverse. The tear or tama shaped reserves are decorated with precious objects and manji and a curious amorphous object with leaves. In Chinese examples this is usually a representation of a Peach, a Flower or a Ruyi Fungus, so possibly is a representation of all three. The reserves are set against a manji-tsunagi interlocking diaper painted in reverse style, which symbolises a wish for long life. The central motif of Rocks, Chrysanthemums and Peonies is painted in a stylised abstract form. A fuchi-beni iron brown glaze has been applied to the rim. The reverse is plain, with the base showing a radial faux chattering and 5 spur marks in an X formation, suggesting it was fired at Higuchi kiln in the Nangawara valley.
There is a small filled chip to the rim with a hairline crack.
Diameter 21 cm, stands 3cm high.