Dish

18th century

Hirado ware was produced in the area around Nagasaki, not far from the Arita kilns. It was initially made for domestic use only and was reserved for the local feudal lord. Featuring the very whitest porcelain and refined cobalt decoration, the early pieces like this one are in small, simple shapes suitable for the Japanese table. In the nineteenth century, Hirado ware was exported to Europe, where it became popular for its delicacy.