TWO LARGE JAPANESE ARITA BLUE AND WHITE DISHES

TWO LARGE JAPANESE ARITA BLUE AND WHITE DISHES

MEIJI PERIOD, 19TH OR 20TH CENTURY

Both decorated in underglaze blue; the first depicting a crane wading amongst tall grasses, with scrolling wisps of mist and lotus behind it; the other with a large carp on a cracked-ice background, both with karakusa scrolls to the underside, 35.8cm and 31cm respectively. (2)

Provenance: from the collection of the late Gas Kimishima, wood-fire potter and specialist in the ancient kilns of Japan, purchased in Japan and thence by descent. Gas established his studio in England and built his own anagama kiln in Tring, Hertfordshire.