Important Cultural Property / National Important Cultural Property

Large tripod dish with heron design in underglaze cobalt blue　

Production Area

Nabeshima official kiln, Okawachi, Hizen

Period of Production

1690s to 1710s

Note

Typical of the Nabeshima style, this underglaze cobalt blue work features a refined composition and sophisticated, uniform in-filling. Three herons and lotus flowers, which signify social success, are shown in white against a dark background. The bottoms of the dish's three feet are glazed, and a row of spur marks from kiln tools can be seen on the bottom, which is shaped like a ring (janome), indicating the degree of time and careful attention involved in its production. There are few examples of works that incorporate a Magnolia liliiflora branch motif on their outer surface, and the fact that a small number of such objects have been excavated at the homes of court nobles in Kyoto suggests that such objects may have been used as special gifts for the imperial family and officials.

Collection No.

00252