Ko-Kutani Style Iro-e Melon-Shaped Small Plates (Set of 10)

Story

Japanese potters of the 17th century created Ko-Kutani, famous for bold, moody pigments and naturalistic themes. When production ceased, later Edo and Meiji masters revived these exact motifs to satisfy sophisticated collectors. Owning a intact set of ten matched serving plates from this lineage is remarkably rare today.

Maker / Origin

The legendary Kutani kilns were founded in the 1650s under the Maeda clan in Kaga Province, producing intense blue, green, and yellow enamelware. Though the original kilns closed within a few decades, the style was famously resurrected in the early 1800s by artists like Aoki Mokubei and the Yoshidaya kiln, establishing Kutani as one of Japan's most celebrated ceramic traditions.

Condition & Value

Appears to be in very good preserved condition overall. Minor firing imperfections, light surface wear, and natural age-related enamel rubbing are visible, which are typical for authentic hand-painted antique ceramics. Having all ten plates intact without major cracks adds significantly to value.