Arita kiln, 17th century
A very good Japanese early Edo period Arita dish, vividly decorated in underglaze cobalt blue with a pair of ho-o birds (phoenixes) perched upon a rocky outcrop amongst flowers and vines. The rim decorated with a scrolling bird and vine pattern.
The background displays an unusual number of stars in the sky: thirteen.
Made for export to Europe through the Dutch East India Company.
early Edo Period, Arita kiln, Japan
c1670
 
Literature:
See 'A Complete Catalogue of the Shibata collection' for an almost identical dish, no.1545, dated to circa 1670-90.
 
Measurements: 21.2xm in diameter; 11.9cm footring
Condition: perfect