An outstanding Kakiemon nigoshide porcelain deep bowl superbly enamelled to the interior with a scene of a shishi (Chinese lion) trotting beneath a flowering tree peony, the exterior wall elegantly encircled by a meandering karakusa scroll in overglaze blue enamel highlighted by iron-red florets
Arita, Kakiemon kiln, Hizen province, Japan
Edo period, Enpō era
circa 1670-90
EXHIBITION HISTORY
Exhibited at the Tobi Art Fair, Tokyo Art Club (Japan) by Otani Fine Art, October 2023.
PUBLICATION HISTORY
Illustrated in Otani Bijutsu 'Kakiemon and Ninsei-style', published by Otani Fine Art (Tokyo) 2023, no. 10. Catalogued as "Kakiemon lion and peony design bowl, 18.2 cm diameter x 8.0 cm high, 1670s-1690s." Original publication included with sale.
CONDITION
In excellent original condition with no damage to the nigoshi-de porcelain body and absolutely no fading, damages or losses to the enamels or iron-oxide glazed rim. An original glazed potters ‘notch’ to the edge of the footrim. A museum-quality example.
MEASUREMENTS
18.2cm diameter; 8.0cm high
DESCRIPTION
This deep circular bowl was produced using the finest nigoshi-de milky-white porcelain with a pearly white luminescent glaze. The enamelling, potting, glaze and porcelain body are of the very highest quality, exemplifying the peak achievements of the Kakiemon workshop. An extremely rare and unusual pattern.
An exhibited & published piece showcasing the outstanding beauty and elegance of Kakiemon.
ESSAY
This deep circular bowl was produced using the finest nigoshi-de milk white porcelain with a pearly white luminescent glaze. The nigoshi-de 濁手 body is the whitest of all Japanese porcelain and was used for only the most superior enamelled wares of this period. This 'milk white' body, composed of kaolin and petunste, achieved purity through a time-consuming process in which the Arita potters repeatedly levigated and washed the clay. Only open shapes (dishes, bowls) were made using the nigoshi-de body, and underglaze blue decoration was never used on this porcelain; only overglaze enamelling sometimes highlighted by hints of gilding.
An outstanding Kakiemon nigoshide bowl, enamelled with shishi & peony c1670-90
SOLD.
BARASET HOUSE FINE ART
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
According to Menno Fitski (Rijksmuseum) when used "as a decorative element on Kakiemon, the shishi is almost always depicted as a dancing animal in combination with a tree peony. This is a reference to the Buddhist story of the monk Jakusho's pilgrimage to the holy Chinese mountain Wutai. He was greeted on a stone bridge over a deep ravine by a shishi dancing amid peonies. The shishi was the steed of the bodhisattva Monju (Manjusri), who resided in this location. This story appears in Japan from the 12th century and is also portrayed in theatre. (Fitski Kakiemon, 2011 p.160)