A Black Raku “Jidai” Chawan

Artist:: —
Era:: Edo
Price:: SOLD
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We have a particular interest in beautiful old Raku tea bowls and spend quite a bit of time searching for exceptional examples to include in our gallery. Here we see a beautiful work that appears to be at least 200 years old and likely much older. On the side can be seen the typical “hasami no ato” (tongs mark) and along the base on both the inside and the outside are impressed lines, formed during the firing process, that I have seen only a few times before and only on very old tea bowls (inquire for an example). Overall this piece is very well preserved, has a beautiful shape, and has a lot of character expressed in its ceramic landscape.

A tradition dating from the mid-16th century, Raku tea bowls are fashioned primarily by hand giving them a distinctly human feel. In the process of shaping these pieces, potters handle the tea bowls in much the same manner that users will hold them as they drink from them. In this way, we can imagine a connection is formed between the creator of the tea bowl and the participants in the tea ceremony. For this and other reasons, Raku bowls are considered a favorite of tea practitioners across Japan.

In fine antique condition, this piece measures 4.5 inches in diameter (11.5cm) and stands 3 inches tall (7.5cm). It comes with a period lacquer wood box that looks to have been furnished within the last 100 years and with an antique wrapping cloth. The name of the craftsman who made the bowl along with the kiln are unknown, however, the appearance of the foot-ring coupled with the overall appearance suggest production sometime in early Edo. An exceptionally lovely piece, when coupled with the patterned wrapping cloth it leaves quite a lasting impression.

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