Height 2.9 cm, mouth diameter 14.1 cm x 10.4 cm, base diameter 9.6 cm x 5.8 cm
This piece is a recent set of seven pieces, but it is not clear whether or not they are from the Nabeshima domain kiln. Since the form is in the old Nabeshima style, it is considered to be from the earliest Nabeshima period and is illustrated here. The porcelain is naturally made of freshly applied porcelain, but the molding, application of porcelain, and firing are all extremely crude, and this seems to be the earliest small dish in this style. The slightly high base is covered with a line-drawn comb pattern in high-quality gosu, but the comb lines are not aligned, and the design is rather unrestrained. The underglaze blue is only for the comb pattern, and the prospective and outer areas are painted only in overglaze blue. The front is painted in purple and green in a kotogitate style, with a floral pattern in black under the green. The reverse side is decorated on three sides with peach blossoms and branches, but red is used only here.
I am not sure where this piece was fired, but I do not think it was made during the Kanbun period. If it is Nabeshima, it seems to be even older, but it may also be an early Kakiemon piece. It is interesting that all seven pieces have been handed down from generation to generation, despite the fact that they appear to be crude products.
