Ceramic - Set of 4 Antique Inban Side Plates

The variation in tone and surface patina of these delightful set of plates bears witness to age and use. They speak of an era when artistry was seamlessly integrated into everyday life.

Made in the Meji era (1920s) by an old hand-transfer technique called Inban. In Inban, a premade image is inked with dye and then hand-pressed (“transferred” (thus the name) ) against a plain ceramic surface, before the item fired in the kiln. In Japan, 90 percent of Inban ware is blue and white. The green and white colour combination is much rarer.

What might you use them for? Invite a friend over for a glass of wine and serve some pan-fried padron peppers and marcona almonds or consider weaving them in with your china to set a table like a domestic goddess. Either way, these unique little plates are sure to delight you and your guests.

Dimensions: 13cm diameter, 2.4cm height

Product Story

"Konichiwa", the staff behind the desk at Aomori's ferry terminal greet us with typical Japanese alacrity. It's 7 a.m. and we feel utterly exhausted. Having driven over 700km from Tokyo's Narita airport over the past couple of days to make it this far, it is perhaps inevitable.