A Rare 17th Century Japanese Porcelain Dish

A Rare Small 17th Century Japanese Porcelain Dish, Arita Kilns c.1660-1680. This unusual design depicts three books, seemingly scattered over the surface in a casual manner. They appear to be thrown down, with two of the covers creased and folded back. This asymmetrical design is typical of Japanese porcelain and Japanese design in general, it uses the white space as a positive element. This considered space is not seen as empty, but as an essential strength of the design, in Japanese it is called Ma. The books are very carefully painted with details of the sewing, the binding, picked out in white using wax resist. The cobalt is not bright, the glaze is quite opaque. Other designs of books can be seen on Nabeshima porcelain, there are also books depicted on Arita porcelain of the 17th Century. However, they are normally depicted in good condition, without being mistreated. For a dish (22cm) with a striking design of two books overlapping, see : Shibata Collection Part 2, Volume 1 : Pictures (Commemorative Exhibition of The Donation, Shibata Collection 2. The Kyushu Ceramic Museum. 1991. Saga Art & Cultural Foundation) on page 71, plate 164.

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