A very fine and rare Early Enamelled Arita Ko-Kutani / transitional Kakiemon porcelain dish depicting an exuberant pair of frolicking Shishi (Chinese Buddhist lions) and Tree Peony
 
Arita kiln, Early Enamelled ware, Ko Kutani/early Kakiemon style, Hizen province, Japan
early Edo period, Joo era (1650-55)
circa 1650-55
 
MARK
Marked on the reverse with a brilliant deep green 'Fuku' mark within black double square.
 
MEASURMENTS
14.7 cm diameter x 2.6 cm high
 
CONDITION
In excellent original condition. A minuscule fleabite on the footrim base less than 1mm. Sand adhesion to the footrim.
 
This very early and finely potted Arita-kiln non-biscuit (namagake) porcelain of circular form with gently flared rim is covered with a soft glaze, the interior superbly painted with a pair of iron-red and green spotted shishi lions playfully frolicking near a large Tree Peony, elegantly enamelled with pale yellow, brilliant blue, turquoise green, aubergine-brown and iron-red, with black outlining. The underside is decorated with three enamelled floral sprigs asymmetrically placed. This early enamelled dish is categorized as so-called Ko Kutani made in Arita, yet demonstrates many compositional design qualities and an exceptional use of 'blank space' which became characteristic of the Kakiemon workshop. It is likely that this dish was decorated by an early enamelling workshop which may have been a predecessor of or related to the Kakiemon.
 
STORAGE
With a traditional Japanese paulownia wood storage box (tomobako) and silk ribbon tie.