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Object 2011531

Saucer

Japan

c.1770

Height 27 mm (1.06 inch), diameter of rim 148 mm (5.83 inch), diameter of footring 84 mm (3.31 inch), weight 200 grams (7.05 ounce (oz.))

Saucer on footring with a flaring rim, the edge in underglaze brown, and a glazed base. On the base a single spur-mark. Ploychrome decorated in underglaze blue with overglaze iron-red, green, black and yellow enamel with a central ju or kotobuki (long life) character (identical to the Chinese shou character). The sides and rim with scrolling foliage with precious symbols. On the reverse lingzhi alternating with roundels filled with lingzhi and scrolling foliage. Marked on the base with the six-character mark: Da Ming Cheng hua nian zhi, (Prepared during the Chenghua reign of the Great Ming Dynasty (1465-1487)) in underglaze blue.

The ju or kotobuki character and lingzhi are considered emblems of longevity (long life) and derived from Chinese designs.

For an identically shaped, sized and decorated saucer, please see;

Collection Groninger Museum.

For an object similarly decorated with a central ju or kotobuki character, please see:

Ko-Imari from the collection of Oliver Impey, (Barry Davies Oriental Art, London, 1997), pp. 208-209, cat. 126.

Condition: A shallow chip to the rim.

References:

Davison 1994, cat. 5

London 1997, cat. 14

Collection Groninger Museum

Price: Sold.