Preliminary identification
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Overview
An underglaze blue porcelain dish decorated in the blown-cobalt (fukizumi) technique, featuring a reserved white 'Jade Rabbit' (玉兔) beneath a starry, speckled sky. Made in the Ko-sometsuke ('old blue and white') style, these wares were specially commissioned by Japanese tea masters for the Kaiseki meal in the tea ceremony.
Story
During the tumultuous fall of the Ming Dynasty in the 1620s, Chinese kilns survived by crafting charmingly rustic porcelain tailored specifically to Japanese tea masters who celebrated charming imperfections.
Maker / Origin
Produced by private kilns (minyao) in Jingdezhen, China, catering directly to the tea aesthetic of early 17th-century Japan. Rather than the pristine perfection demanded by imperial courts, these potters embraced spontaneous brushwork, natural fritting (mushikui), and whimsical motifs.
Condition & Value
Visible vertical hairline crack extending several inches inward from the right rim, along with minor rim chips/fritting typical of the glaze composition. The crack reduces commercial value by roughly 60-70%.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Your first full report is on us.
See sold comps, value drivers, and where to sell. One complimentary report, no card required.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.