18th Century Set of Two Antique Japanese Ceramic Ko-Seto Chaires

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A collection of two ceramic chaires (Tea caddies) of Ko-seto ware type from Edo period Japan circa 17-18th century. This … Read more A collection of two ceramic chaires (Tea caddies) of Ko-seto ware type from Edo period Japan circa 17-18th century. This type of small jar was made of stoneware in old Seto kilns in Gifu prefecture. Its specific form with raised shoulder and small opening was designed to store green tea powder (matcha). Prototyped from Chinese chaire, the container was considered the most important piece of the accoutrement for Chado (tea ceremony).

These two small jars were from the same collection and complement each other well. They both feature a mottled brown ash glaze with dripping and splashing pattern from the shoulder down. The lower part of the jar was left unglazed, typical for the ko-seto chaire. The taller Charie has a potter's line circumventing the midbody and detectable wheel grooves. The random abstract glaze pattern created a wabi-sabi effect desired by Chado masters. Both chaires retain their old ivory lids that are likely original and also old collecting paper labels with Kanji and English scripts as shown.
The taller one measures approximately 3.35" h x 2" d, while the shorter one is about 2.75"h x 2.45" d.
Similar Ko-seto Chaires can be found in the collection of Metropolitan Musuem of Art in NYC Object Number: 29.100.655a, b and The British Musuem 1947,0418.5. See less