Before I continue with my Moroccan posts, I want to mention this joyous little bowl that found its way into my 'In box' a few days ago. It is a Japanese Karatsu tea bowl (A karatsu chawan), Momoyama / Edo period, C16th-C17th, H 6.5cm x W 15cm x D 11cm.
It is for sale - at Kazari in Melbourne, Australia, P.O.A.
I don't know why, but my heart skips a beat every time I look at this photo - maybe it's the essence of wabisabi, my connection with Japan, the earthy oatmeal tones, the gentle flowing line of the slumped rim, memories of my studies in Ceramics in the 1970's. I can feel this lovely bowl in my hands - warm and comforting. I'm sure I was a Zen Buddhist monk in a past life - maybe this was my bowl - what a fun idea.