SOLD-  
A finely painted Ai-Kutani type circular dish, finely painted with a Japanese long-tailed bushtit (Shima Enaga) perched upon the knarled branches of a flowering plum tree in a snow-clad garden
 
Arita kiln, Ai-Kutani type, Hizen province, Japan
Early Edo period (late 17th century)
Kanbun/Enpo Era (1660-1673)
 
Sharply potted biscuit-fired porcelain of circular form with a delicately flared rim, the interior superbly painted in contrasting tones of underglaze cobalt blue, featuring a Japanese long-tailed bushtit (Shima Enaga) perched upon the knarled branches of a flowering plum tree in the foreground, a snow-clad garden and neatly banded hedge fencing in the background. The scene encircled with a single cobalt blue line.
 
The underside encircled with scrolling karakusa and flowerheads, a single spur mark within a cobalt-blue circle to the base.
 
Measurements:
5.7 inches diameter (14.5 cm diameter)
 
Condition:
Excellent original condition. Some sand and kiln-grit adhering to the footrim. Single spur-mark (kiln support mark) to the base.