Collection Online as of March 31, 2023
Dish with Sweet Osmanthus and Cloud
色絵木犀文皿
Japan, Edo period
(1615-1868)
Porcelain with underglaze blue and overglaze color enamel (Hizen ware, Nabeshima type)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 2017.63
Location
235A Japanese
Description
The dish is an example of the finest type of early Japanese porcelain, Nabeshima-type Hizen ware. It is decorated with sweet osmanthus, or fragrant olive tree, with iron-red flowers and green and yellow enamels on the leaves. A band of misty clouds in underglaze blue completes the composition. The osmanthus tree was imported from China to southern Japan.