Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Figures 1690-1800 - Page 1

Object 2012387

Figure of a small, seated dog

Japan

18th century

Height 75 mm (2.95 inch), dimensions 42 mm (1.65 inch) x 35 mm (1.38 inch), weight 54 grams (1.90 ounce (oz.)),

Small figure of a seated dog with a curled tail and a collar. A small hole in the unglazed base with a vague textile imprint. Decorated in overglaze iron-red, orange, yellow, black and green enamel and gold. The dog has enamelled patches, a collar with a pendant, and whiskers around the beak.

The introduction of dogs (inu, ken) in Japan dates to the prehistoric period. Historically, they have always played an important role as symbols of status, protection and hunts, and also became figures of worship. General folklore claimed that dogs offered protection against wild beasts and evil spirits, and ensured childbirth.

The dog is not an animal often represented in Japanese art, and is more likely to be in the form of a puppy. Small spotted dogs were often depicted during the Edo period (1615-1868) in coloured ukiyo-e woodblock prints, accompanying beautiful courtesans or bijin. Ceramic examples may have been initially made for the domestic market, but after they captured the attention of Dutch and Chinese buyers they became a significant export item. (Welsh 2022, p.130)

Japanese porcelain workshops began producing ornamental sculptures at least as early as the middle of the seventeenth century. Somewhat similar to okimono carvings, these sculptures may have been made initially for the domestic market as light-hearted playthings to be included in certain types of holiday and other seasonal displays. But as soon as the sculptures came to the attention of Dutch and Chinese buyers, they became popular export products as well, and by the end of the seventeenth century, actually have eclipsed domestic consumption. The animal figures illustrated here are all symbols of certain years in the traditional Chinese and Japanese zodiac and could have been used within Japan as gifts or decorations for the New Year's festival. If so, they would likely have been stored away once the festivities were over. In Europe, by contrast, animal sculptures such as these were seen simply as charming nature studies and were often left on display all year. (Impey, Jörg & Mason 2009, p. 102)

Apparently, porcelain figures of humans and animals (leaping carp, cats, dogs and birds) were a successful export item. The Dutch ordered figures from the very start of the Japanese porcelain trade making use of an already existing market for such figures. The origin of the shapes of the models is still a puzzle, although it seems logical that the Japanese potters used Japanese sources when making the moulds, perhaps referring to the indigenous doll tradition, to prints or to carved figures. These 'exotic' figures played their part in the export assortment, and were either bought by the Dutch East India Company, (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC)), privately by Dutch merchants, or by the Chinese. Three main groups of figures can be discerned: figures in the Kakiemon palette, Imari figures and figures after European models. Enamelled figures come in many shapes and varieties and were included in the export assortment from the beginning of the Dutch porcelain trade. ((Jörg 2003/1, pp.273-274)

This amusing figure of a small, seated dog fits comfortably into the group of animals and figures that reached Europe in the early 18th century and were regard as exotica. (Jörg 2003/1, p.283)

No comparable figure of a seated small dog could be found in literature.

For an early Japanese Arita model of a puppy, please see:

Dragons, Tigers and Bamboo: Japanese Porcelain and its impact in Europe - The Mac-Donald Collection, (O.Impey, C.J.A. Jörg and C. Mason, Douglas & McIntyre Publishers Inc., Vancouver/Toronto/Berkeley 2009), p.102, Fig. 52.

For a similarly decorated figure seated on an animal, please see:

Fine & Curious. Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections, (C.J.A. Jörg, Hotei Publishing, Amsterdam, 2003), p.283, cat. 357.

Condition: A small and shallow glaze rough spot to the tip of the nose.

References:

Jörg 2003/1, cat. 357

Impey, Jörg & Mason 2009, Fig. 52

Welsh 2022, p.130

Price: Sold.