Japanese Blue and White Porcelain Water Basin (Mizubachi), Edo to Early Meiji Period

Story

Large Edo water basins sat at Japanese temple entries and tea gardens, cleansing guests' hands before ritual. Looking down into the water, you would see porcelain cherry blossoms seemingly floating beneath the surface.

Maker / Origin

Produced in the famed ceramic centers of Hizen Province (Arita), where master potters had spent centuries perfecting large-scale porcelain throwing and cobalt painting. While individual artisans rarely signed monumental functional ware, these large vessels required specialized multi-chamber climbing kilns (noborigama) and exceptional control of cobalt firing.

Condition & Value

Very good overall presentation with vibrant cobalt pigment. Appears to have faint glaze lines/crazing or minor kiln firing imperfections in the well and minor kiln adhesion marks around the base ring, typical of large-scale 19th-century firings. Stable structural integrity helps maintain solid market value.