An extremely rare & desirable late Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke akoda-uri (winter pumpkin) form chaire (tea caddy), strikingly painted in underglaze cobalt blue with 'The Four Hats of Ming Officials' - the Yishan Guan of the Emperor, the Wushamao of government officials, the Zhanjiao Putou for civic officials, and the He Guan Hanfu for military leaders
 
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Tianqi period (1621-1627) - Chongzhen period (1627-1644)
 
Measurements
5.8 cm wide; 5.1 cm high
 
Description
Naturalistically modelled in the form of a squat pumpkin or gourd, the mouth and foot encircled by double concentric rings, the body boldly painted in underglaze cobalt blue with 'Four Hats of Ming Dynasty Officials', including the Yishan Guan (winged shan hat) reserved for the Emperor, the Zhanjiao putou (spread-horn head cover) worn by civic officials at court assemblies, Wushamao (black gauze hat) worn by government officials, and the He Guan military helmet with flag & tassle. The base unglazed. A finely carved antique rosewood lid with knop and interior gold foil.
 
The chaire 茶入 is a small porcelain container with a lid used in the Japanese tea ceremony to hold powdered green tea (matcha) for making koicha (thick tea). The chaire is one of the most important and valued utensils in the tea ceremony.
 
In fitting with the decorative 'hat theme' of this characterful tea caddy, the akoda-uri wintermelon for which the shape is taken traditionally lends its name to The Akoda-Nari Kabuto, a type of samurai helmet, which itself also resembles the lobed shape of the wintermelon. The potter and decorator of this hat themed tea caddy certainly had a sense of humour, with every element of the design being a 'tip of the hat' to traditional Ming head ware.
 
Ko-sometsuke tea ceremony pieces in this Ming 'crown' or 'hat' design are exceedingly rare. A truly exceptional piece.
 
Ko-Sometsuke, meaning "Old Blue and White" is the term used to describe Chinese blue and white porcelain made for the Japanese market during the late Ming Dynasty. Ko-sometsuke wares were produced from the Wanli period (1573-1620) to the Chongzhen period (1628-1644), with the main period of production being the Tianqi period (1621-27). The objects produced were made specifically for the Japanese market, with the shapes and the designs being tailored to the Japanese taste. The shapes created were often expressly made for the Japanese Kaiseki (Tea Ceremony meal) and included mukozuke (small food dishes), kōro (incense burners), and kōgō (small incense containers).
 
Condition
In excellent original condition with only two tiny flakes to the interior edge of the mouth, unnoticeable with the lid on, and one very small ancient chip to the exterior mouth edge. Very minor craquelure on interior base. Firing sparks from the kiln. Flat, unglazed base with wheel marks.
The finely carved rosewood lid lined with gold foil in excellent condition, with a tight seal to the porcelain.
 
Storage
With formal tea ceremony storage including a traditional Japanese paulownia wood storage box, a cylindrical lacquer interior storage box with fine silk shifuku cover, and another silk shifuku cover for the porcelain tea caddy.