Set of five Chinese porcelain plates for the Japanese market (ko-sometsuke) decorated in underglaze cobalt blue (qinghua), Tianqi/Chongzhen reigns, Ming dynasty.

Rare set of five Chinese export porcelain small plates for the Japanese market (ko-sometsuke) decorated in underglaze cobalt blue (qinghua) with a crenelated border and two horses in the centre, Tianqi/Chongzhen reigns, Ming dynasty, d. 14,7 cm; 5¾ in. 1.13215  

Illustrated: Yuan to Qing Ceramics, by A. Varela Santos, 2016/2017, cat. 14.

Literature:

• Seventh Century Chinese Porcelain from the Butler Family Collection, by M. Butler, M. Medley and S. Little, fig. 14 for a small plate with two galloping horses;

• The Peony Pavilion Collection: Chinese Tea Ceramics for Japan (c. 1580-1650), Christie’s sale in London, 12 June 1989, p. 40, cat. 237 for a similar set dated Tianqi.

◆ Sometsuke is a type of blue-and-white porcelain that was produced during the early 17th century at privately owned kilns in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, China. Ko-sometsuke, the prefix “ko” meaning “old,” is the Japanese name for sometsuke imported from China to Japan.

Though sometsuke was not made using high-quality clay or glazes, the free-spirited decorations and designs made it popular in Japan. Tea-ceremony masters particularly sought them.

珍稀的中國外銷瓷五件套青花小盤，專為日本市場燒造的 (ko/sometsuke瓷), 盤沿繪有青花齒形紋， 盤心為兩匹馬的紋飾。明天啟/崇禎。直徑：14.7釐米，5¾ 英吋。

圖例：《元代至清代陶瓷》，作者阿.瓦瑞拉.桑托斯，2016/2017， 目录 14。

參考文獻: 《巴特勒家族收藏的七世紀中國瓷器》，作者M. Butler, M. Medley, S. Little，參見圖14一 隻繪有兩匹駿馬的小盤。

◆ Sometsuke是一種17世紀早期在中國江西省景德鎮民窯燒造的青花瓷器。在日語Ko_Sometsuke這個詞里，前綴字母Ko是“老”的意思，它在日文里專指從中國進口到日本的這種Sometsuke青花瓷。雖然Sometsuke青花瓷不是由高質粘土或釉燒造而成，它自由灑脫的紋飾與設計使其在日本大受歡迎。它們還特 別受到茶道大師的青睞。