An 18th Century Nabeshima Porcelain Dish from the Collection of Dr Oliver Impey (1936-2005), and Dr Jane (Mellanby) Impey (1938-2021). Made at the Ōkawachi Kilns, Saga Prefecture, Island of Kyushu, Japan. This 18th century Nabeshima porcelain dish has a label to the base written in blue by Oliver Impey "NABESHIMA early 18th c". The word 'early' has been emphatically cancelled out with two dark black lines, presumably he realised it was later based on his own research or because one of his colleagues mentioned it to him. It's an intriguing fragment of lost thoughts and conversations. A dish of this design, which is dated to the late 18th century is illustrated Sōjūsha Bijutsu Shuppan (see references). This excellent book deals with Nabeshima porcelain from 1736 to 1868. The carefully painted design is of hagi (kanji as 萩), bush clover (Kummerowia striata). It is one of the traditional 'Seven Flowers of Autumn' (aki no nanakusa) in Japan and appears in Japanese art and poetry. To the right hand side, a single stem of the bush clover only partially appears creating the asymmetrical design so beloved by the Japanese. This notched dish is decorated to the back with three stylised peony stems in flower. As is typical with Nabeshima porcelain the deep foot is decorated with a tooth-like design, similar to the dentil design in Classical Western architecture.   See Below for More Photographs and Information.   SALE PENDING