Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Other wares - Page 1
Object 2011559
Bowl
Japan
1700-1730
Height 75 mm (2.95 inch), diameter of rim 148 mm (5.83 inch), diameter of footring 60 mm (2.36 inch), weight 305 grams (10.76 ounce (oz.)), weight 357 grams, including the silver mount (12.59 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring, spreading straight rim. Fitted with a (marked) Dutch silver mount. Imari, decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with flowering plants and a white hare running from foaming waves. Round the foot a band of floral sprays. On the bottom a single flower spray in a double concentric band. The silver marks explained: the makers mark 'B&Z3 stands for 'Burger & zonen' who were active in Haarlem from 1952-1975, the sword mark was used as the standard mark on articles too small for the full hallmarking, this is most likely the third and final version of the sword mark that was used after 1953.
Apparently, the motif of the running hare was popular on Japanese porcelain. It is generally depicted combined with waves or the moon in some form or amidst waving pampas grass.
This particular hare pattern is known on bowls, teacups and saucers and a rare milk jug, indicating that tea sets with matching parts were made for export.
The hare (usagi) is associated with the moon and old age. Legends says that the female conceives by running on the waves – represented by the curved underglaze blue lines - on the 18th day of the 8th month when the sky is clear, and the moon is reflected in the water. The female can also conceive by licking the fur of the male during the same period or simply by gazing at the moon.
Another version of the legend tells of a white hare on the island of Oki who wanted to go to the mainland. As he could not swim, he cunningly asked a number of crocodiles to line up in the water, under the pretence of counting them, to see if there were more crocodiles in the sea than hares on Oki. He had almost reached the shore by jumping across their backs, when the last crocodile saw through his deception and snapped off all his fur before the hare leapt ashore. (Arts 1983, pp.113-114, p.143, plate 89), (Piggott 1997, pp.109-110), (Fitski 2002, p.6), (Jörg 2003/1, pp.117-118), (Fitski 2011, p158)
Yet another account says that the crocodiles ran after him and snapped his white fur to take revenge because he had laughed at them for their stupidity. After the hare repented and promised never to use deceit again, the fairy Okuni-nushi-no-Mikoto helped him regrow his fur.
For an identically shaped and decorated bowl, please see:
For other identically decorated objects, please see:
- Fine & Curious: Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections, (C.J.A. Jörg, Hotei publishing, Amsterdam, 2003), p.197, cat. 247 & 247a.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Other wares - Page 1 - Object 2011372.
Condition: A firing flaw and a chip to the rim, two pierced holes in the wall to affix the mount.
References:
Arts 1983, pp.113-114 & p.143, plate 89
Jörg 2003/1, cat. 126, 247 & 247a
Price: Sold.
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