Fossil Chopstick Rest 6P Collection Imari Porcelain

This is a set of Nabeshima Porcelain chopstick rests created by craftsmen in Okawachiyama, Imari City, Saga Prefecture, once a kiln for the feudal domain. These pieces are designed to resemble fossils. Using a technique called "youkoku", the original artist manually carves the fossil design into plaster, making the fossil patterns rise in relief. This plaster is then used to create molds, resulting in realistic fossil-like textures. 

Porcelain clay is poured into the molds for shaping, and after applying a glassy amber-colored glaze, the pieces are fired at 1300°C. The glaze thickly settles into the carved grooves and thinly coats the raised areas, creating a contrast of light and shadow that enhances the fossil-like appearance. This expression method of using "youkoku"and glaze to make patterns stand out has been passed down in Nabeshima Porcelain since the Edo period. In this case, instead of the traditional celadon glaze ("seijiyu") of Nabeshima Porcelain, an amber glaze was used to replicate the texture of fossils.

#Imari Porcelain 
#GYOKUYU Original
#Fossil Chopstick Rest
#Dinosaur
#Made in Japan