Both Nabeshima and Hirado wares are considered to be among the finest porcelains ever made in Japan, and they are highly prized among today’s collectors. Hirado was produced at Mikawachi near Arita, and for much of its history was made under the patronage of the lords of Hirado. Aristocratic patronage ended in the 1830’s with the commercialization of the kilns; however, the quality of Hirado remained very high. Hirado ware consists of a very pure, fine-grained and high-quality white porcelain. It is characterized by highly refined white clay that would be fired to high temperatures, and the glaze was lustrous and void of any kind of granulation.

In the Meiji period the Hirado kilns made many pieces in traditional Nabeshima style, although they were not slavish in following the original designs. The design on the front of this dish, like most of the Hirado dishes in Nabeshima style, is of a type that would generally not have been found on the earlier Nabeshima wares.

CONDITION is excellent, with only some light surface scratching. DIMENSIONS: 8 ½” (21.5 cm) diameter, 2” (5 cm) high.