Untitled

Unknown

18th century · Porcelain painted in underglaze blue with comb pattern around the foot (Nabeshima ware) · Asian Art

This dish is an excellent example of the sophisticated technique of early Nabeshima potters. The unglazed ware was painted with sumi (ink), decorated with underglaze cobalt blue and then covered in a light cobalt-blue glaze followed by a clear glaze. When fired, the sumi evaporates along with the cobalt-blue glaze, leaving the underlying white porcelain visible in a process known as sumihajiki.

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th century

Medium

Porcelain painted in underglaze blue with comb pattern around the foot (Nabeshima ware)

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Charles Stewart Smith, 1893