Description

16th century blue and white glazed Ko sometsuke porcelain dish, made in China for export to Japan for use in the Japanese Tea Ceremony, decorated with blue underglaze bird and flowers. “Ko-sometsuke (‘old blue and white’) porcelain was produced specifically for the Japanese market during the final decades of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The lack of Chinese imperial patronage during this period prompted the potters at the Jingdezhen kilns, Jiangxi province, to seek out new markets for their porcelain. This coincided with the rising popularity of the tea ceremony in Japan, which required a number of different utensils. Fulfilling the orders that followed from Japanese tea masters resulted in the flourishing of Chinese porcelain trade to Japan at this time. Ko-sometsuke wares were made to Japanese taste, in an astonishing variety of odd, asymmetrical and occasionally humorous forms.” From “Chinese Porcelain for the Japanese Market” , by Jorge Welsh Books, London.

Dish Size: 7″ wide diameter