A fine & early Ai-Kutani spiral-moulded 'pie-crust' dish, the centre characterfully painted in bold underglaze cobalt blue with an amusing pair of quail beneath a towering banana leaf
 
Chokichidani kiln, Ai-Kutani type, Arita ware, Hizen province, Japan
Early Edo Period (mid-17th century)
circa 1650-55
 
The exceptional finely potted slightly greyish-white porcelain body of shallow circular form with a sharply moulded pie-crust rim dressed in iron brown fuchi-beni rim glaze and a superbly formed short cavetto of undulating, spiralling form.
 
The interior is boldly and cheerfully painted in underglaze cobalt blue featuring a large circular medallion with Chinese ko-sometsuke style ruri-head border, the central scene depicting an amusing pair of quail running along a gully beneath a towering asymmetrical banana leaf plant.
 
Very wide footrim and unusual size. The reverse with scattered folded pine needles. On the base is a very large variant fuku mark known to have been used at the Chokichidani kiln circa 1650-60. Three spur marks on the base where the dish rested on its sagger in the kiln.
 
Storage
With Japanese paulownia wood storage box and silk ribbon tie.
 
Measurements
20.1 cm diameter; 2.6 cm high
 
Condition report
In excellent original condition.