Dish with karatuuri (melon) design, Hizen, Nabeshima official kiln

Late 17th/early 18th century

Porcelain decorated with cobalt blu underglaze and red fruits 

Diameter 15.2 cm

Nabeshima ware was made at Okawachi near Arita in Kyūshū under the authority of the Nabeshima clan. The feudal lords of Nabeshima were so proud of their technological skill, that throughout the Edo period (1615-1867) they gave porcelain (and swords) as presents to the lords of other provinces. 

Most of Nabeshima porcelain were made between the Enpou era (1673-1681) and around 1750 have been colored with four colors; red, blue, green, yellow, and the designs were adopted from plants or patterns on kimonos. The designs combine pattern and empty space in pure Japanese style and often resemble the bold and sophisticated textile designs of the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In this particular case the dish is decorated with multi-colour vegetable marrow and leaf design on interior and blue designs on exterior sides and base. The underside of the rim decorated with 3 small and 3 large jewels tied with ribbons. There is a high slightly tapered foot with blade pattern in underglaze blue.

For comparative literature see: Nabeshima, Y. Kudo, p. 138 Ribun 2005

nabeshima dish for sale