Japanese Hirado or Arita Blue and White Porcelain 'Waves and Birds' Bowl, 19th Century

Story

Nineteenth-century Japanese ceramic artists mastered soft cobalt shading, creating misty ocean sprays with brushwork called 'fuki-zumi' and delicate washes. Notice how the birds fly seamlessly from the outside over the rim and into the bowl.

Maker / Origin

Potters in the Arita and Hirado regions perfected the use of cobalt oxide on high-fired porcelain clay. Hirado kilns, originally dedicated to producing refined pieces for the Matsura daimyo family, became legendary for their eggshell-thin porcelain and fluid, painterly underglaze blue brushwork.

Condition & Value

There is a noticeable small chip/lacquer spot on the upper rim and minor footring nibbles on the bottom. The porcelain glaze and cobalt decoration remain crisp and vibrant overall. The rim chip reduces value by approximately 20-30%.