This dish in underglaze blue features a Javanese 'wayang kulit' (shadow puppet) figure thought to be the character Bima, in the central medallion. He is surrounded by four similar figures on the inner wall separated by floral sprays. The wide stance of the figure and the strong physical features are considered 'kasar' or coarse characteristics, which would be in keeping with the character of Bima. Bima, one of the five of the Pandawa brothers from the Hindu epic Mahabaratha, was venerated in East Java at this time. Dishes such as this may have been specially ordered for important religious ceremonies.
