A very rare mid 17th century early enamelled (iroe) Arita Ko-Kutani type porcelain dish enamelled with octopus arabesques & cherry blossoms, Arita, c1650-55
 
Arita kiln, Early Enamelled ware, ko-Kutani type, Hizen province, Japan
early Edo period (mid 17th century)
circa 1650-55
 
The rather thickly potted white porcelain dish of circular form with a flared rim, the interior asymmetrically painted in underglaze blue with flowering chrysanthemums and leaves which unusually wrap completely around the rim of the dish and continue uninterrupted onto the reverse. Enamelled in overglaze rich yellow tako-karakusa (octopus arabesque scrolls) and with five brick-red overglaze cherry blossoms which appear to float on circular reserves.
 
The coloured palette is traditionally associated with the early enamelled wares of the town of Kutani. Though it was previously thought that this type of Japanese porcelain was made at the Old Kutani kilns in Enuma County, it is now accepted that dish was made in the middle of the 17th century in the Arita kilns. We can now call this type of early Japanese porcelain "Arita porcelain of Ko-Kutani type".
 
The reverse with a particularly high foot rim and fuku mark in underglaze blue, now associated with the Kusunokidani kiln, Arita, Japan.
 
With an antique Japanese paulownia wood storage box and ribbon tie.
 
Measurements:
15cm diameter; 3.5cm high
 
Condition:
good condition. A small old lacquer repair to the rim at 11 o'clock. Craquelure (original kiln flaw) throughout the glaze, particularly on the reverse; barely noticeable on the front with the naked eye.