Ming Dynasty Kosometsuke Ware Porcelain Bowl

Late Ming Dynasty, Tianqi Period (1620–1627), Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, China

This exceptional blue and white porcelain bowl, crafted in the famed kilns of Jingdezhen during the Tianqi period (1620–1627), embodies the distinct artistry of Kosometsuke ware. Created exclusively for the Japanese market, Kosometsuke porcelain was prized for its rustic charm and asymmetrical designs, reflecting the wabi-sabi aesthetic so deeply cherished in the Japanese tea ceremony tradition. Unlike the refined blue and white wares made for the Chinese court, these pieces were intentionally crafted using coarser clay, resulting in visible imperfections such as kiln grit, glaze contractions, and "moth-eaten" (mushikui) edges—qualities that enhanced their appeal to Japanese collectors.

This small yet elegant bowl features a spontaneously painted composition of two birds perched on a twig adorned with delicate blossoms and rounded buds. The brushwork is expressive and fluid, applied in a single motion with a fully loaded brush, giving the design a sense of movement and effortless beauty. Encircled by fine sketchy bands, the interior captures the essence of traditional Kosometsuke decoration, while the outer sides are accented with two hastily drawn circular motifs, reinforcing the unpretentious charm of the piece.

Kosometsuke wares were made in a surprising variety of forms, often displaying eccentric and playful elements that set them apart from the more symmetrical and polished porcelains of the period. These qualities made them highly valued in Japan, where tea masters appreciated their irregularities as symbols of authenticity and natural beauty. This exquisite bowl stands as a testament to the cross-cultural exchange between China and Japan, blending Ming Dynasty craftsmanship with Japanese aesthetic sensibilities. A rare and historically significant piece, it remains an exceptional collector’s item, embodying the timeless allure of Kosometsuke porcelain.

Good condition. Small chip in the rim. Considerable fritting and glazing flaws. Kiln grit on the footrim. Size approx. 14,0cm x 13,8cm x 4,5cm.

Provenance: Finnish private collection

References and further reading:

Ko-sometsuke: Chinese Porcelain for the Japanese Market, Jorge Welsh, Published by Jorge Welsh Books, Lisbon/London, 2013.

Kosometsuke, Masahiko Kawahara, Published by Kyoto Shoin Co., Ltd, Japan, 1977.

The Wares of the Transitional Period between the Ming and the Ch'Ing 1620-1683, Soame Jenyns, Archives of the Chinese Art Society of America, Published By: Duke University Press, Vol. 9, 1955, pp. 20-42.

The Ceramic Trade Across the South China Sea c. AD 1350-1650, Barbara Harrisson, Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. 76, No. 1, 2003, pp. 99-114.