Ko-Sometsuke dish – Porselein – Squirrels and Grapes (松鼠葡萄) – China – Tianqi (1621-1627)

Late Ming Blue and White Dish – Tianqi Period (1621–1627), for the Japanese Market (Ko-Sometsuke)A finely painted blue and white porcelain dish dating from the Tianqi period (1620–1627) of the late Ming dynasty, produced for the Japanese market, a type known as Ko-Sometsuke (“Old Dyed Blue and White”).The interior is decorated in a spontaneous, calligraphic style with grape vines, clusters of grapes, and a playful squirrel, rendered in underglaze blue. The motif of squirrels and grapes (松鼠葡萄, songshu putao) carries a traditional Chinese auspicious meaning, symbolizing fertility, abundance, and the wish for many descendants, as the grapevine’s numerous fruits and the lively squirrels together evoke the idea of generations flourishing without end.Dimensions: W 13,4 × H 3.6 cmCondition: Good condition, with a hairline and a small chip and the characteristic mushikui (“moth-eaten”) fritting along the rim and typical of Ko-Sometsuke wares.Please check the images carefully. Small imperfections and kiln-firing defects are not always described in detail. The written condition report is indicative only; the photographs provide the definitive and binding description of the item's condition. Shipping method: The item is securely packed and shipped with insurance without stand.