Inscriptions: as on almost all Japanese porcelains produced during this period at Arita, (Arita ware, Japan, Saga prefecture), it has a spurious inscription on base that reads: "Great Ming (dynasty), Chenghua (reign name; 1465-87)"

This wonderful, large bowl was made at one of the many kilns at Arita during the late 17th or early 18th century. The quality of the painted decoration is superb, please notice the different textures of cobalt, the different hues and the fine depiction, especially the central panel of peonies growing from Chinese style rocks. It is a tour-de-force no doubt painted by a master craftsman. I expect with some devoted research, one could identify the actual kiln that made this piece. The decoration is distinct enough that it should be easy to identify, especially the combination of geometric and floral patterns within the sides of the bowl.

Richard Mellott

spurious inscription on base that reads: Great Ming (dynasty), Chenghua (reign name; 1465-87)

Porcelain with cobalt pigment under clear colorless glaze

Large, shallow, blue and white bowl, with different textures of cobalt and a depiction, of a central panel of peonies growing from Chinese-style rocks.

This object has the following keywords:

• Ceramics
• Edo Period
• Porcelain