A RARE JAPANESE KO-KUTANI DISH C.1670 Decorated in red and black enamels with details picked out...

A RARE JAPANESE KO-KUTANI DISH

C.1670

Decorated in red and black enamels with details picked out in gilt, the well painted with a central medallion containing two rabbits beneath flowering peonies, with two butterflies fluttering above, the rim decorated with five lobed panels of flowers on a diaper ground, the rim with old kintsugi gold lacquer restoration, 20.9cm.

Provenance: from the collection of Soame Jenyns (1904-1976), Assistant Keeper of Oriental Antiquities at the British Museum (1931-1967). Jenyns published many books on Chinese and Japanese ceramics which are now considered references.

Cf. J Ayers, O Impey, J V G Mallet, Porcelain for Palaces, The Fashion for Japan in Europe 1650-1750, p.121 for a box and cover with similar style decoration in red, black and gilt.