Japanese Arita Blue and White Square Dish with Tiger and Bamboo, c.19th Century

Story

During the Edo and Meiji periods, Japanese artists loved depicting tigers, despite having never seen one in the wild. They relied on imported Chinese paintings and domestic house cats as models, resulting in delightfully expressive, cat-like beasts.

Maker / Origin

Produced in the famous Arita region, the birthplace of Japanese porcelain. While the specific workshop's square seal mark requires further specialized cataloging, the piece reflects the high-quality underglaze cobalt blue painting techniques perfected by multi-generational family kilns in Saga Prefecture.

Condition & Value

There is a prominent, dark hairline crack visible on the underside of the dish near the central seal mark, which appears to slightly show through to the front. The iron-red rim shows minor wear consistent with age. The crack reduces the potential market value by approximately 50-60%.