Antique Japanese Shino Ware Chawan Tea Bowl

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On offer is a Japanese ceramic tea bowl (chawan) used in the traditional chado ceremony. The bowl was potted in … Read more On offer is a Japanese ceramic tea bowl (chawan) used in the traditional chado ceremony. The bowl was potted in clog form with a ring foot shaved extremely low. Its size and harmonious proportion make it perfect to be held in both hands during chado. Classified as shino ware, a sub type of high-fired Mino wares produced in Seto and Mino areas of Gifu Prefecture. Mino ware was originated in the late 16th century of Edo period as Japan's first high-fired, white-glazed pottery. Within Shino wares, this bowl is of a Sub-type known as E-Shino (painted-Shino). It was decorated with iron-oxide brushed strokes under the glaze. The iron paint on this bowl was minimal, deft and quite enigmatic, appearing like a ghost face on a crouched figure. The iconic milky white glaze displays a wabi-sabi style with unevenness from dripping, pooling, and scattered feldspar. On top of the glaze, many small pinholes known as suana in Japanese (nest holes) are prominently present, especially concentrated in the interior. This is a characteristic of Shino ware named yuzuhada (citron skin) and this feature was historically cherished and favored by tea masters. The glaze on the interior bottom shows fine crackle lines.
The bowls comes with a wrapping cloth and a newer storage box with a collector's note suggesting it is from Momoyama period (which we disagree). Although it is hard to pinpoint its exact age, by examining the bowl, we dated it to Edo period (18th century) instead. See less