A collection of six (6) attractive Classic antique ceramic -Horse Eye- Uma- plates from old Japan dating to the early 20th century, Taisho period, probably a seto kiln

Handcrafted.

A rare find. Fine quality.

Dimensions: Each 2.75 inches diameter

History of horse eye plates:
These wonderful and scarce mingei plates are known as an -uma-no-me zara- (horse-eye plate). They are heavily potted, glazed stoneware plates with oval-shaped decorations freely executed in under glaze iron pigments on a crackled ground.

A horse-eye motif is similar to a bull’s eye a concentric circle design except that the elongated horse-eye is ovoid rather than round, and the innermost circle is against one long side rather than in the middle. Prior to applying a clear glaze on this plate, the design was painted with iron oxide. The color of the design is a handsome, variegated reddish-brown color. The bold spiral patterns, which were painted very quickly, are imbued with great energy. The thick foot rim is unglazed.

In the mid to late Edo period, horse-eye plates were one of the standard utilitarian products produced by the Seto kilns. Used for serving food, they appeared in restaurants and inns along the Tokaido Road from Kyoto to Edo, as well as in ordinary homes. Horse-eye plates are the quintessential example of Japanese mingei pottery, and no major Japanese Folk Art collection would be considered complete without one. They are bold, fresh, powerful and contemporary in feeling.

One is illustrated together in “Quiet Beauty” by Robert Moes which chronicles 50 centuries of Japanese folk ceramics from the world famous Jeffrey Montgomery Collection. The Montgomery Collection is widely considered to be the most important Trove of Japanese Folk Art outside of Japan.

Condition is excellent for this type of antique folk ceramic dish.