A SMALL JAPANESE BLUE AND WHITE FOOD DISH

A SMALL JAPANESE BLUE AND WHITE FOOD DISH, MUKOZUKE

C.1670

The surface moulded and shaped as a paulownia leaf, decorated with prunus flowers floating on a stream in white reserved on a blue swastika-diaper ground, the reverse left undecorated and raised on a short foot, 10.5cm.

Cf. G Lang, The Wrestling Boys, An exhibition of Chinese and Japanese ceramics from the 16th to the 18th century in the collection at Burghley House, p. 13 no.12, for a mukozuke dish from the same set and currently on display at Burghley House. Also, see J Ayers, O Impey, J V G Mallet, Porcelain for Palaces, The Fashion for Japan in Europe 1650-1750, p.95 no.34, for the same dish. According to the authors, this type was very popular in Japan for the tea ceremony and identical pieces have been found at the Cho-kichi-dani kiln in Nangawara, Arita.