A Japanese octagonal blue and white Arita porcelain ‘Frijtom’ bowl with a harbour scene

 

Arita, early 18th century

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H. 11 x Diam. 23 cm

Diam. footring 10.3 cm

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The bowl is decorated in underglaze blue on the outside with a coastal scene showing a rocky shore, a city wall and houses, on the water two tall European ships and boats with seamen. Round the foot a narrow border with half-leaves and flower heads, inside in the centre a roundel showing two ships, one firing a cannon, and a boat surrounded by an octagonal border with leaves and flowers. The rim inside with a double decorative border and on the eight corners a leaf. On the bottom a six-character Chenghua mark. The scene on the outside is of outstanding quality and relates to the decoration on Dutch Delftware in the style of the famous Delft potter Frederik van Frijtom (1632- 1702).
Identical bowls are in the Groninger Museum, the Burghley House Collection, and in the Kyushu Ceramic Museum.