The suiteki is in square form and measures 2 /12” square by 2” high. It stands on four small slanted legs. The design on the top has a low relief carving of four geese in flight in a cloudy sky. Since geese pair for life, it is traditional in many Japanese weddings for the bride and groom to receive gifts of ceramics, prints, etc. that include the two geese – thereby wishing them a long and fruitful marriage. Since this suiteki has two pairs of geese, it must have been made to wish the happy couple twice the happiness.

This superb suiteki is illustrated in the classic book on Hirado titled “Hirado, Prince of Porcelain” by Louis Lawrence; this piece is shown on one of the plates (Plate 21, p. 52)– see photos. We purchased it directly from Mr. Lawrence so the provenance is guaranteed. There is also a penciled inscription on the unglazed base that refers to the piece having come originally from the famous Walters Collection in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in excellent condition with no chips, hairlines or restorations. We date it to the late Edo-early Meji period, circa 1850-1880s.

Louis Lawrence, in his book "Hirado, Prince of Porcelain", accurately summed up why this Japanese porcelain is widely regarded as the finest to ever come out of Japan - it is a true world-class ceramic made of the finest clay from Amakusa Island. Hirado is characterized by the extreme smoothness of the clay and its ability to adapt to very unusual shapes because of its malleability and resistance to running in the firing process.