Two lidded bowls of Seto ware, fired during the end of Edo period to the Meiji era. Each bowl has an everted rim and is decorated with alternating bands of iron glaze and aka-raku glaze, with a single iron-glazed line encircling the rim. Known as Mugiwara-de (“wheat-straw type”), this vertical stripe design is thought to have been inherited from Kyōto ware before developing its own distinctive character at Seto.

The lids indicate that these vessels were made as rice bowls. Before ceramic rice bowls became widespread, covered lacquer bowls formed part of the formal table setting. These bowls carry on that convention in ceramic form, lending a modest sense of ceremony to the everyday meal. A well-matched pair that would have lent the daily table a quiet sense of occasion.

Both bowls have small chips, several of which have been repaired with kintsugi. Apart from these and kiln imperfections, there are no notable defects, and the overall condition is good.