Antique Awaji Minpei Ware Dragon Small Oval Dish (淡路 珉平焼) 1002

Yellow Glaze Oval Plate – Japan, Late 19th to Early 20th Century

This small oval dish is a beautiful example of Awaji Minpei ware, a traditional Japanese pottery produced on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The style was established in the 1830s by potter Kashu Minpei, and became well known during the Meiji and Taishō periods for its distinctive colored glazes and refined craftsmanship.

The dish features a dragon motif in relief at the center, a traditional symbol of strength, protection, and prosperity in East Asian culture. It is finished with a warm yellow glaze with fine crackle (crazing), a characteristic feature often seen in Minpei ware pieces from this period.

Awaji Minpei ware is appreciated today by collectors of Japanese antiques and traditional ceramics, particularly in Europe and the United States, where Awaji pottery gained recognition in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

This piece works beautifully as a small serving dish for sweets, condiments, or as a decorative tray for jewelry or small objects.

Details

• Type: Awaji Minpei Ware (淡路 珉平焼)

• Origin: Awaji Island, Hyogo, Japan

• Period: Late 19th – early 20th century (Meiji–Taishō period style)

• Material: Glazed ceramic

• Color: Yellow glaze with crackle

• Motif: Dragon relief

• Shape: Oval

Size
Approx. 10 × 7.5 × 1.7 cm

Condition
Overall good vintage condition. There are kiln marks on the back and some glaze wear, consistent with age and traditional firing. Natural crackle in the glaze is typical for this type of pottery and adds to its antique character.

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