A late 17th century Arita dish strikingly painted with two large clams and seaweeds

Arita kiln, Ko-Imari taste, Hizen province, Japan

Early Edo period (late 17th century)

circa 1670-1690

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A lobed porcelain dish freely painted in rich cobalt tones with a pair of large clams (hamaguri) and seaweeds (kaisou).

This dish - decorated boldly in the Japanese taste - was likely made for the home market, and not for export to Europe through the V.O.C. (Dutch East India Company).

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The famous Shibata collection at the Kyushu Museum shows several late 17th century Arita-kiln dishes depicting clam, marine algae and seaweeds, however the present dish with it's striking pair of clams shells - most likely representative of fidelity and marriage - appears to be unrecorded.

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The reverse bearing a large underglaze blue Running Fuku mark encircled by finely painted karakusa scrolls.

With a Japanese paulownia wood storage box and ribbon tie.

Measurements: 

9-1/2 inches (24 cm) in diameter 

Condition report:

Excellent original condition. Three spur-marks (kiln support marks) to the base.