Ko-Imari Style Porcelain Tea Caddy (Cha-ire) with Gilt Ivory-Tone Lid

Story

Originally thrown in Edo-period Arita, this porcelain cup found a second life when a tea master paired it with a custom gold-lined lid, elevating everyday tableware into a revered ritual tea caddy.

Maker / Origin

Crafted in the famed kilns of Hizen Province (modern Saga Prefecture), the birthplace of Japanese porcelain. While individual potters rarely signed utilitarian ware, Arita artisans were celebrated for their refined white clays, vibrant underglaze cobalt, and masterfully applied iron-red and gold enamels that supplied both Japanese domestic estates and European royal courts.

Condition & Value

The porcelain vessel shows well-preserved enamels with minor typical wear to the gilded rim and slight kiln grit on the unglazed foot ring. The underside gold leaf on the lid shows natural aging and edge chipping consistent with tea ceremony use. Good antique condition supports steady collector interest.