Antique Bakumatsu Seto Ware Ceramic Plate Iris Dragonfly Pattern PCP306

Antique Bakumatsu Seto Ware Ceramic Plate Iris Dragonfly Pattern PCP306

This is an antique Japanese Seto ware ceramic plate dating from the Bakumatsu period, the final years of the Edo period. It is made from pale Seto clay, characteristic of traditional pottery from the Seto region.

The front surface has a cream-white crackled glazed appearance, created over the pale clay body and finished with a transparent to semi-transparent glaze. The design features a hand-painted iris flower and a flying dragonfly, rendered in dark iron-brown lines with blue-gray accents. These colors were likely applied as underglaze decoration before the final glaze firing.

The reverse side is covered with a dark brown iron-rich glaze, a feature often seen on old Seto plates and related utilitarian wares of the period. The contrast between the cream-white front, iron-brown decoration, and dark brown glazed reverse gives the piece a strong traditional Seto character.

Size:
Height: 2.8 cm / 1.1 in
Width: 22.0 cm / 8.7 in
Depth: 22.0 cm / 8.7 in
Weight: 492 g / 1.08 lbs

Condition:
The item shows prominent signs of age and historical use. There are multiple chips, glaze flakes, rim losses, surface wear, and vertical hairline cracks (nyu) along the rim. Noticeable glaze loss and peeling can be seen around the outer edges, especially on the reverse brown-glazed side. The front surface also shows fine crackle, age-related staining, and small glaze imperfections.

Please check the photos carefully for details.