Japanese wares with Western Shapes or Designs 1653-1800 - Page 1

Object 2010615

Ewer

Japan

1710-1730

Height 105 mm (4.13 inch), diameter 80 mm (3.15 inch), diameter of mouthrim 32 mm (1.26 inch), diameter of footring 50 mm (1.97 inch), weight 194 grams (6.84 ounce (oz.))

Oviform ewer on footring, wide neck with pinched spout. Curved pierced handle placed at an angle to the spout. Imari decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold wiith the initial 'A' in (faded) black for the Dutch word azijn (vinegar), with flowering chrysanthemum and peony plants. On the handle and spout a floret between scrolls. The hole in the top of the handle was meant to affix a metal or silver cover.

A specific group of ewers is decorated with the letters 'O', 'A', or 'S' indicating their contents: 'O' stands for olie (oil), 'A' for azijn (vinegar), 'L' for limoen (lemon), the 'S' or 'Z' for soya or zoja (soy). They were used at the dinner table in The Netherlands. Arts adds the letter 'C' for conserven (?) (preserves). (Arts 1983, p.50), (Jörg 2003/1, p.176)

Condition: Four spots on the belly were the glaze did not catch on to the body during the firing process.

References:

Arts 1983, Plate 22.

Jörg 2003/1, pp.176-177

Price: € 449 Currency Converter