Antique Japanese Ceramic Ko-Tanba Chaire Edo Period

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A ceramic chaire (Tea caddies) of Ko-Tanba ware type from Edo period Japan circa 18th to early 19th century. This … Read more A ceramic chaire (Tea caddies) of Ko-Tanba ware type from Edo period Japan circa 18th to early 19th century. This type of small jar was made of stoneware in old Seto kilns in Gifu prefecture. It features a rounded jar (tsubo) form with a very short neck, and a large opening. Prototyped from Chinese chaire and designed to store tea powder, the container was considered the most important piece of the accoutrement for Chado (tea ceremony).
What is extraordinary with this small Chaire is its glaze. On the light brown ash glazed background which feels slightly coarse to the touch, there is a layer of wonderful mottled green glaze cascading down from the top, covering nearly half of the body. The thick glaze crystalized from felspar, adding an unexpected drama to this small jar. The base of the Chaire was left unglazed exposed a dark iron rich fine clay. The chaire retains its original ivory lids with incised circles and gold foil underlined as well as the silk Shifuku pouch. See less