ARITA, NABESHIMA FACTORY
Ten dishes
c. 1800-60Porcelain painted in underglaze blue | 5.8 x 20.5 x 20.5 cm (whole object) | RCIN 2389
This dish was made for the Nabeshima feudal lords who established their own closely guarded kiln near Arita in the late seventeenth century. They presented their wares as gifts to win favour with the shōgun and other nobility. Exclusive pieces – with distinctive tall feet and soft cobalt blue decoration – were later used for diplomatic exchange.