SOLD-  
A very fine and Early Enamelled Arita Iroe Ko-Kutani non-biscuit (namagake) porcelain footed bowl depicting Ho-o birds encircling a spurious Chenghua reign mark
 
Arita kiln, Ko-Kutani type, Hizen province, Japan
early Edo period, Joo era (1650-55)
circa 1650
 
This slightly thickly potted non-biscuit Arita-kiln porcelain of circular form with curved sides set on a typically small foot, covered with a blue-grey tinged glaze partly thickly pooled, the interior painted in underglaze cobalt blue, fine original iron red and overglaze enamels with a pair of ho-o birds in flight to the side walls, an underglaze-blue spurious Chenghua six-character mark within cobalt-blue and iron red circles, the underside encircled by folded pine needles (ori-matsuba), kiln-grit adhering to the unglazed footrim. 
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This early enamelled dish was manufactured in Arita just before trade with Europe through the V.O.C. (Dutch East India Company) began. It is excessively rare to find authentic early Ko-Kutani of this period and quality in the West.
 
Measurements:
13 cm (5.11 inches) in diameter, 4.2cm (1.65inches) in height
 
Condition report:
Generally good condition. Two small kintsugi (ancient gold lacquer) repairs to the rim. One tiny fleabit to the rim. One ancient very small chip to the footrim.