   Hizen ware: two dishes Lithograph, by Bauer, published 1875 Left — Large dish of old Hizen porcelain, of fine quality ware, decorated in the most elaborate and beautiful manner with scrollwork and floral designs. Even with the high artistic skill and the careful printing brought to bear on this illustration, it is almost impossible to convey a correct idea of such a superb specimen of ceramic art as this dish. On carefully examining its decoration, it is thought that the artists who designed the decorations for the goods ordered by the Dutch were subject to some external influence. There is strong evidence in this example that foreign designs have been consulted, and the appearance of the tulip, which we do not remember ever having seen in a true example of native art, is enough to lead us to believe that the Japanese worked under direction and to order in everything they produced for the Dutch. In the generality of cases we find in the old Hizen pieces some distinguishing mark of national art, mixed up with what appears to be borrowed from other sources; but in this interesting piece it is almost impossible to find a trace of what we now know to be peculiar to the art development of the country. Diameter: 21½ inches. Right — Large dish of old Hizen porcelain, richly decorated with conventional scroll- work and flowers in deep, cold blue. This is a very rare and interesting specimen of Hizen ware, of the same date as the preceding piece. It has a remarkably fine and vigorous design, with a broad border of scrollwork, evidently based on Chinese models, and a centre-piece of strictly Japanese treatment. This piece doubtless came from Japan at the same date as the old red, blue, and gold ware was imported into Europe; but it came in all probability alone as regards its style. It may have been picked up by the Dutch factory, or may have been part of one of the annual presents. It was, at all events, never made to order, and bears no trace of European design. Diameter: 21½ inches.
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