Small dish on footring, flat rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with two small figures on a rock plateau looking at a fortress wall with a gatehouse and a fluttering banner. On the rim six rosettes. The reverse is undecorated. Kiln-sand adhering to the base. This type of export porcelain was produced for the Japanese market and was called ko-sometsuke (old blue-and-white porcelain). It was made either to special order or for general sale during the period 1620–1650. In Japan, this porcelain was traditionally used in the tea ceremony or as a luxury object during meals when large numbers of small dishes, plates and bowls were used{}. The porcelain and the manner of its firing are similar to kraak porcelain, though the decorations differ considerably.