China/Late Ming Period (17th century)
Donated by the Homma Family
Tianqi porcelain, also known as Ko-sometsuke refers to underglaze blue and white porcelain ware made in the kilns of Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province from between 1621 and 1644 during the later years of China’s Ming dynasty. Made for export to Japan, these pieces are characterized by a “moth-eaten” look, wherein the glaze on the lip of the vessel has peeled off, and appears warped, leading the pieces to have an air of naïve artlessness cherished by tea masters.