A Japanese porcelain melon shaped dish standing on a high, applied oval ring foot. It is painted in shades of underglaze blue with white in reserve. The glaze has a semi-matt silken sheen to it. Dating from c1660-80*, it measures over 6 1/2inches (16.7 cms) long.
There are areas of fritting to the rim and small areas of atmospheric staining creeping from the footrim. It is in otherwise very good condition.
*Note re date attribution:-
I can not find an identical dish in any volume of Shibata. I am basing my dates on similar items to which I have seen references, the footrim, the satin-type glaze. I am not an authority in this highly specialised field.
