Preliminary identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
This exquisite Japanese porcelain dish is rendered in the celebrated Iro-Nabeshima style, featuring the iconic 'Tatsutagawa' design of floating autumn maple leaves over swirling blue waters. It exhibits the hallmark high foot ring adorned with a classic comb tooth pattern (kushime) and ribbons with cash coins (shippo-musubi) painted in underglaze cobalt on the exterior.
Story
Centuries ago, the Nabeshima clan maintained top-secret kilns creating porcelain strictly for shogun gifts. This dish revives the poetic Tatsutagawa motif, capturing autumn maples floating down a rushing river.
Maker / Origin
Nabeshima ware originated in the 17th century under the direct patronage of the Nabeshima lord of Saga Domain, produced exclusively as presentation ware rather than for commercial sale. In the modern era, esteemed kilns such as Imaemon and Seika revitalized these aristocratic techniques, preserving hand-painted underglaze cobalt combined with iron-red and overglaze enamels.
Condition & Value
The dish appears to be in excellent condition with no visible chips, cracks, or enamel loss, and comes with its fitted wooden collector's storage box (tomobako). Excellent condition with original box commands the upper end of the estimate range.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
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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.