Hizen Arita Bowl "Top" - Age?

[Kaaren B.]

Here is a very pretty bowl top that I found. I thought the mark said Hizen Arita, but would appreciate confirmation, and also any guess as to age. Thank you! Kaaren

[peterp]

The single character in the mark reads 肥 'hi'. Stan probably knows if it is indeed Hizen as other associations (e.g. Higo) are also possible.

[Stan]

Yes this is the abbreviation for Arita Hizen. I would date this early 20th century.

[peterp]

Is it really a lid?  As there is no side view it is difficult to judge, but the top picture looks as if it could be a bowl.

[Kaaren B.]

Thank you, both! I thought it was a bowl when I found it (another $2 yard sale find), but when I tried to find similar items online, I saw things exactly like it, but as a set: a shallow bowl on top of an identical larger bowl.

I guess so that they can be used separately, or the top one can be used to keep food in the bottom one warm?

The colors are much prettier in person, the dark blue is more soft than in my photos. KB

[Stan]

Looks like a bowl to me, the band decoration in the inside top edge is meant to be seen, if it was a lid the band would be hid, in my view.

[Kaaren B.]

I am glad it is, then. Thanks all! Kaaren