Ko-Imari, Arita kiln, c.1690
 
A fine and boldly painted Ko-Imari porcelain dish with rinka rim
strikingly decorated with a Pair of Ayu Sweetfish
Arita kiln
Early Edo period
circa 1690
 
Measuring 20 cm (7.87 inches) in diameter
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The finely potted biscuit-fired white porcelain of circular form with a fine lobed rinka rim, the interior very boldly painted with a strikingly contrasting and balanced pair of swimming sweetfish in fine underglaze cobalt blue showcasing strong tonal variations and expert brushwork.
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The reverse decorated with a fine double-lined hana-karakusa scroll, a cobalt blue Chenghua apocryphal six-character mark with a circle to the base. Five spar marks and some kiln-grit adhering the the footring.