MOMOTA: A MULTILOBED ENAMELED PORCELAIN TRAY By Momota, signed Momota zo kore
Japan, late 19^th to early 20^th century, Meiji (1868-1912) to Taisho period (1912-1926)

The circular tray molded with a lobed rim enameled in black and gold with a geometric border, the interior finely enameled in black, brown, gray, white, green, and turquoise with a small temple complex nestled between pine trees and a pagoda, several small huts lining the other shore, with some sailing boats, many birds flying in the underglaze gray mist, and Mount Fuji towering in the background, all within a molded circular bead frame, the underside inscribed Dai-Nihon Yokohama ko (‘Yokohama Port, Great Japan’) and signed MOMOTA zo kore (‘this is made by’).

DIAMETER 38.5 cm

Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear and firing flaws, including glaze recesses and few open bubbles, particularly visible to the underside and two of the molded beads, and some wear to the enamels.
Provenance: German private collection.