Japanese export molded porcelain dish, c. 1850.
 
Dimensions: Approximately 11” x 8½” x 1¾”.
 
Decoration: 
The dish is decorated with an overall image of a sumo wrestler.
 
The molded body provides dimension to emphasize the wrestler’s chest and waist.
 
The wrestler’s hair is textured for a matte and more realistic appearance.
 
The reverse is undecorated with two sets of stylized fans, and there are three narrow blue bands surrounding the foot.
 
The wrestler is in a conventional pose with his hands resting on his belly above a decorative apron (keshō-mawashi). This is the formal ceremonial garment worn by upper-division sumo wrestlers (sekitori) during the ring-entering ceremony (dohyō-iri) performed before a tournament day's bouts.
 
The design replicates the woodblock prints (ukiyoe) of the period illustrating sumo wrestlers (rikishi). As in the case of woodblock prints that portrayed popular rikishi, it is possible that this wrestler could have been readily identified by his fans.
 
References:
Bickford, “Sumo and the Woodblock Print Masters”.
Impey, “Japanese Export Porcelain”.
Jorg, “Fine & Curious, Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections”.
P.L.J. Arts, “Japanese Porcelain”.
Reichel, “Early Japanese Porcelain”.
Shimura, “The History of Imari, The Symbols and Mysteries of Antique Japanese Porcelain”.
New Orleans Museum of Art, “Imari, Japanese Porcelain for European Palaces”.
The Kyushu Ceramic Museum, “Complete Catalog of Shibata Collection”.
 
Condition: In excellent condition consistent with age and usage. Please examine the photos; they are part of the description.