Meiji Period Arita Blue and White Porcelain Plate in the Shape of a Lotus Leaf

Details

Description

There is a quality of Japanese porcelain that stands on its own. I like the clarity of the white porcelain … Read more There is a quality of Japanese porcelain that stands on its own. I like the clarity of the white porcelain and the sound it makes when pings. Creativity in design is another feather, and always a strife for perfection.

This is a piece of blue and white porcelain plate modeled in the shape of a lotus leaf. It could be a product from the Arita kilns in Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyushu. Ceramic kilns were established in areas of Kyushu since the 17th century. What makes this plate fascinating is the shape - the lotus leaf. A landscape expertly painted in various shades of cobalt blue decorated the surface. However, the strongest feature is the delicate raised foliate veins radiating from the center. The rim is shaped in gentle undulations to mimic the natural outline of a lotus leaf. This design, inspired by nature, were popular in the late Edo to early Meiji period. The lotus flower is a symbol of purity and renewal, as it grew in muddy waters and yet come back in spring year after year. The plate is obviously a creative work of art by an artist potter, I have not seen another like it. See less