Edo Period Arita Bowl – “Three Friends of Winter”

Underglaze blue Arita scalloped porcelain bowl, c. 1830.
 
Dimensions: Approximately 5¾” in diameter x 2” high.
 
Decoration: 
The scalloped rim is gilded.
 
The interior is decorated with alternating panels: three of pine trees and three of dragons.
 
The central design is a version of the “Three Fiends of Winter” pattern, also known as the “Three Friends” or “Sho-Chiku-Bai”, that incorporates a pine tree, a plum tree, and bamboo that is encircled by a geometric pattern.
 
The outside of the bowl is decorated with a karakusa vine pattern with a wave pattern at the foot, which is encircled by three blue lines.
 
The base bears an apocryphal Chenghua mark.
 
These three plants are associated with winter because the pine tree and the bamboo remain green year-round, and the plum tree is among the first o flower in the spring. They represent the attributes of longevity (the pine), scholarly and pure spirit (the plum), and flexibility (the bamboo).
 
A bowl with this type of decoration is illustrated and discussed in Shimura, “The History of Imari, The Symbols and Mysteries of Antique Japanese Porcelain” at pages 121 – 122.
 
Condition: In excellent condition consistent with age and usage. Please examine the photos; they are part of the description.