A highly refined Ko-Kutani/Ko-Nabeshima transitional teabowl enamelled with twin ho-o birds (phoenix) in flight, encircling an underglaze cobalt blue medallion of scrolling octopus arabesques rendered in two-tone lapis-lazuli, the reverse exquisitely painted in the Nabeshima taste with three hanakarakusa (flower-and-arabesque pattern)
 
Arita kiln, Ko-Kutani/Ko-Nabeshima transitional ware, Hizen province, Japan
Edo period, Keian-Joo era (1648-1655)
circa 1648-55
 
MARK
Underglaze cobalt blue fuku (happiness) mark in double square.
 
MEASUREMENTS
14.6 cm diameter x 5.1 cm high
 
CONDITION
In very good condition with no wear to the brilliant enamels. One miniscule fleabite to the edge of the footrim. A tiny notch to the porcelain rim edge of the bowl - likely original and glazed over. One very faint hairline extending from the rim approximately 1.5cm.
 
DESCRIPTION
The exterior underglaze blue arabesque patterns of this highly refined wide and shallow teabowl are characteristic of those found on Ko-Nabeshima (early Nabeshima) ware. This enamelled and underglaze blue teabowl appears to be a rare transitional work created during the evolution from the Ko-Kutani style toward the Ko-Nabeshima style.
An important and highly rare transitional piece, linking the two lineages of Ko-Kutani and Nabeshima.
 
STORAGE
With a traditional Japanese paulownia wood storage box and ribbon tie.