A rare late Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke mukozuke dish naturalistically modelled in the form of a maple leaf, painted in underglaze blue with a waterfront scene depicting a solitary pagoda surrounded by rocks and trees in the foreground and a solitary island in the distance, the reverse finely molded with naturalistic veining, raised atop three squat columnar feet
 
Jingdezhen kiln, Jiangxi province, China
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
Tianqi period (1621-1627) - Chongzhen period (1627-1644)
 
Measurements 
15.0 cm long by 4.6 cm high
 
Description​
A rare late Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke mukozuke dish naturalistically modelled in the form of a maple leaf, painted in underglaze blue with a waterfront scene depicting a solitary pagoda surrounded by rocks and trees in the foreground and a solitary island in the distance, the reverse finely molded with naturalistic veining, raised atop three squat columnar feet showcasing highlights of a pleasing brilliant orange body where the glaze pulled back in the original firing.
 
Ko-sometsuke, meaning "Old Blue and White" is the term used to describe Chinese blue and white porcelain made for the Japanese market during the late Ming Dynasty. Ko-sometsuke wares were produced from the Wanli period (1573-1620) to the Chongzhen period (1628-1644), with the height of production being within the Tianqi period (1621-27). The objects produced were made specifically for the Japanese market, with the shapes and the designs being tailored to the Japanese taste. The shapes created were often expressly made for the Japanese Kaiseki (Tea Ceremony meal) and included mukozuke (small food dishes), kōro (incense burners), and kōgō (small incense containers).
 
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
 
Condition
In very good original condition with no cracks or restoration under UV light. Minor Mushiku ('moth-eaten nibbles') and extensive natural bubble bursts.