A Small Shoki-Imari Shallow Porcelain Bowl c.1630 – 1640.

A Small Shoki-Imari Shallow Porcelain Bowl c.1630 – 1640, Arita Kilns, Hizen Province, northwestern Kyūshū, Japan. This bowl is potted with thin raised edge, the heavy weight of the base is heavy which feels nice when you hold it in your hands. The vigorous painting in a deep cobalt blue is reminiscent of late Ming Ko-sometsuke porcelain made at Jingdezhen in China for the Japanese market. The flower arrangement bursts out of the shallow container as if it’s a firework display. Three butterflies are painted to the cavetto. The reverse shows accidental paint splashes, excess clay under the glaze and burst bubbles. There is a feint smoke stain inside and out. The foot ring shows grit to the rim, indicating that this dish wasn’t made with a form of kiln support. The term Shoki-Imari is used to denote the first phase of Japanese porcelain production, from around 1610 to 1640. The imperfections are part of the aesthetic of the piece, but also an indication of this period being experimental. See Below For More Photographs and Information.