19th Century Japanese Arita Ko-Imari Bowl with Qianlong Ken Mark

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This Japanese Arita bowl is dated to the late 18th to early 19th century Edo period in Japan-- but most … Read more This Japanese Arita bowl is dated to the late 18th to early 19th century Edo period in Japan-- but most likely around 1810-1820. It is an exceptional example of Ko-Sometsuke -- or blue and white Japanese China. These pieces were highly treasured. This shallow bowl of heavy stoneware ceramic showcases a misty blue mountain scene with details in dark gold. The edges have scalloped curves. It retains a prominent stilt mark. It is in excellent condition.

Porcelain was produced in Arita for the first time in 1616 under the control by the feudal lord of Nabeshima, or the present Saga Prefecture. Arita ware is also called Imari ware because the products of the Arita kiln were mainly shipped from a nearby port of Imari. Arita porcelains of the early days were typically made in the Chinese style of the period, with deep-blue patterns on a white background, called sometsuke = "blue-and-white". The products of the 17th and 18th centuries are typically called Ko-Imari or "Ko-sometsuke" (old blue-and-white).

Mark in underglaze blu: Ken. This kanji character, ken in Japanese is from the kanji characters of kenryu-nen-sei which stands for the Chinese Qianlong period (1736-1795). The Ken mark was used between 1790-1840. See less