Large Japanese Hirado Porcelain Blue & White Shi Shi Dog Group, Meiji Period

Description

Large Japanese Hirado Porcelain Blue & White grouping of Shi Shi dogs playing, Meiji Period Modeled as a pair of shishi playfully wrestling, the group is fully sculpted in the round with one animal standing over the other. The upper figure presses a forepaw against the chest of its companion, which reclines on its back with raised legs and turned head. Open spaces beneath the torso and between the limbs create depth within the composition. The porcelain body is covered in a pale white glaze, with details picked out in underglaze blue across the mane, brows, tail, and joints. The manes are formed from coiled curls arranged in layered clusters, and the tails sweep upward with incised lines. The faces show wide eyes, flared nostrils, and parted jaws exposing teeth and tongues, with the eyes and teeth heightened in a golden tone. Claws, pads, and fur texture are clearly defined, and the modeling remains sharp throughout. This group is Hirado ware, produced at the Mikawachi kilns in Hizen Province. Hirado porcelain is recognized for its fine white body and controlled underglaze blue decoration. Sculptural figures formed part of its output alongside table wares and export pieces. The Mikawachi kilns specialized in carefully potted porcelain with detailed carving and precise cobalt application. The white body provides a smooth surface for painted and molded ornament. Large sculptural works such as this example demonstrate the kiln’s capacity for complex figural compositions and consistent firing in substantial forms.

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