A very rare late Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke bajohai equestrian stem cup, boldly painted in rich underglaze cobalt blue with '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 & tassel, Tianqi circa 1620
 
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
Tianqi period (1621-1627)
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
 
MEASUREMENTS
9.6cm bowl diameter x 9.3cm high
 
CONDITION
Elegant, ancient kintsugi (gold) seals to a several fine hairlines extending from the rim; also kintsugi wrapping around the rim.
 
DESCRIPTION
The goblet boldly painted in underglaze cobalt blue with 'Chinese 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 & tassel.
 
Bajohai
A bajohai (馬上杯) is a traditional Japanese stemmed cup, often for sake or tea, designed with a long, easy-to-grip base for use by warriors while riding horseback, deriving its name from the Japanese words for "on horseback". These cups, used by samurai, feature an elevated bowl that prevents spills and allows for one-handed drinking on the move. 
 
STORAGE
With formal tea ceremony storage, including an antique inscribed wooden storage box with outer furoshiki cloth wrap, ribbons, and inscribed label.