Lautanen - Posliini - Kiinalainen ko-sometsuke, Ming

Beautiful and rare dish of early 17th-century Jingdezhen export dishes (Ko-Sometsuke) used for the Japanese tea ceremonys. Painted in underglaze cobalt blue with the motif of a rabbit gazing at the moon, symbol of longevity. Marked with six character Chenghua.

Delicately potted with a foliate rim, painted in vibrant cobalt blue with a central medallion depicting a seated hare gazing at the moon amid grass, encircled by a band of stylized waves and blossoms. The cavetto with alternating floral and landscape panels beneath a blue-glazed rim. The reverse bears an apocryphal Chenghua nian zhi mark within double circles.

Notably, this example displays an exceptionally rare firing-stage omission of cobalt decoration along part of the cavetto panel — an unusual and highly desirable feature that highlights the spontaneity and experimental nature of early 17th-century Ko-Sometsuke production for the Japanese market.
Apocryphal Chenghua marks (成化年製) within double circles on the base.

Diameter: 21.5 cm
Condition: Excellent – no cracks, hairlines or restoration

Provenance: Duran Arte lot of six sep 2023 lot 1019 not sold, again in Marts 2024 same lot, not sold. Appears at Christies ( France) dec 2024 lot of only three lot 693, not sold. Aquried by me 2025 lot of two. The one dish with the cobolt omission was pictured at Duran Arte in 2023 and also pictured at Christies auctios.
To my knowledge there are only about 8 of these exact dishes worldwide.
Iam aware that the Japanese did copy these dishes, but the difference you will see is that its very white porcelain and very white footrim.
Iam also aware of the wabi-sabi expression but I dont think this was ment to be on purpose ,its Simply painters omission accured approximately 400 years ago.