Edo Period Arita Kraak Style Charger

Underglaze blue Japanese Arita molded charger, c. 1670.
 
Dimensions: Approximately 15½” diameter.
 
Decoration: 
The border is decorated with eight alternating decorative panels of flowers and symbols, including an artemisia leaf, a peony, and the “Yu Ku” symbol consisting of a bamboo tube and rods or sticks, separated by smaller narrow panels.
 
In the center is a traditional design of a flower basket (“hanakago-de”) and a Yu Ku symbol.
 
The reverse is decorated with flower sprays and the base has 5 kiln spurs.
 
With the disruption of the Jingdezhen kilns in the middle of the 17the century, the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie or VOC) turned to Japan to provide porcelain for the Dutch market. This was primarily blue and white wares produced at the Arita kilns.
 
Blue-and white plates and dishes like this were usually decorated in the Wanli Kraak style, i.e. a border divided into panels of at least two patterns with a pictorial center design. The Arita versions closely mimic the Chinese Wanli Kraak style, but often with distinctive Japanese elements.
 
By the 1680s, the Jingdezhen kilns were back in operation, producing porcelain for export in larger quantities and at lower cost than the Japanese kilns. Consequently, imports from Japan rapidly declined.
 
References:
Barry Davis Oriental Art, “Ko-Imari Porcelain from the Collection of Oliver Impey”.
Impey, “Japanese Export Porcelain”.
Jorg, “Fine & Curious, Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections”.
MacGuire, “Four Centuries of Blue & White”.
 
Condition: In excellent condition consistent with age and usage. Please examine the photos; they are part of the description.
 
Please note, this is a large and heavy item to ship.