A rare and highly attractive mid-17th century Ko-Kutani moulded kin-ginsai mukozuke dish moulded in the form of an eggplant, painted in underglaze cobalt blue with a pair of Mandarin ducks on a cresting wave, brilliantly highlighted by kin-ginsai gold and silver enamels and iron-red decoration
 
Ko-Kutani kin-ginsai type, Arita ware, Hizen province, Japan
Edo Period (mid-17th century)
circa 1655
 
MARK:
Large and boldly drawn fuku mark.
 
CONDITION:
Dish in pristine original condition. Gold, silver and iron-red decoration also in pristine condition. A museum-quality example.
 
Measurements:
15.0 cm long x 11.6 cm wide
 
Exhibiting exceptionally fine moulding, underglaze blue painting and superb overglaze gold, silver and iron-red highlights, this early eggplant-shaped mukozuke dish showcases the unique and inventive characteristics of the early Japanese workshops. The pair of Mandarin ducks, exquisitely painted in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue on a vibrantly cresting wave is perfectly captured inside the unusual upside-down eggplant form. The striking kin-ginsai gold & silver enamel decoration with iron-red highlights has survived in pristine condition. The reverse is elegantly encircled with flowering morning Glory vines. On the base, a large and boldy drawn fuku mark within a single square, indicative of its early dating.
 
According to Idemitsu Museum of Arts "It is thought that gold, silver and iron-red began to be used in the 1650s as decorations for specially ordered and expensive vessels, and there is a mention of gold, silver, and colour in the "Kaku", a document of the art school which notes that "gold and silver decorated pieces under special order were requested by Chinshiki Yuchu, Tanshu Midori, Iribe no Bushi, Noso Kurobei-dono's intermediary, Hatte Mt. On a certain occasion, he presented a Mt. Fuji-shaped pot decorated with gold and silver and a choko cup to Tanshu-sama (the second lord of the Nabe Tame domain, Mitsushige) at his private club. It seems that gold wire decoration had begun by the year 1658.  In the case of this gold and silver painting, the overglaze is made of only red paint with plenty of space, creating a tasteful and elegant style. It's unique."
 
STORAGE:
With a traditional Japanese paulownia wood storage box and silk ribbons.