Object Description
Transitional Chinese Ko-sometsuke pair of square dishes made during the reign of the Ming Emperor Tianqi for export to Japan. The corners are notched and would have been for use in the Japanese tea ceremony
The wucai painting is of a scholar who has been awarded top place in the Palace Examinations. he is holding an Osmanthus Fragras above his head. The border is of a scale border with the Osmanthus flower in the corners. To the back there is a Fu mark
They are not a common design and it is rare to get a pair of these dishes.
Number 70 in Trade Taste and Transformation. Jingdezhen Porcelain for Japan by Julia Curtis is of the same design and there is one in the Butler Family Collection