Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2012451

Apothecary bottle

Japan

1670-1700

Height 350 mm (13.78 inch), diameter belly 220 mm (8.66 inch), diameter of mouthrim 47 mm (1.85 inch), diameter of footring 105 mm (4.13 inch), weight 2,073 grams (73.12 ounce (oz.))

Globular bottle on footring, tapering neck, the mouth with a double flange. Decorated in underglaze blue with a Karashishi flanked by flowering peony branches.

Apothecary bottles belong to the earliest Japanese export wares to be shipped from Deshima to Batavia. In 1653 Batavia received from Deshima 2000 'porcelain bottles, pots, pots for salves and preserves'. The bottles were probably used for medicinal liquids and oils. However it is not known whether this type of bottle actually served this purpose. The shape is derived from a Western glass model. Some are small and plain white, (often later over-decorated in the Netherlands) others are large to very large and decorated in underglaze blue. There is a special group, that features Latin initials as part of the decoration, these are sometimes on the base, but usually appear on the body in a circle or wreath. They do not always make sense as abbreviations of the (medical) content and it is widely assumed that these initials stand for the name of their owners. Known initials are: IC, IVH, PVD, PW, IS-M, PD, LVR, VOC, Ds. Vandr. Hof, RW, FW, CB, CK, VCL, LG, AL, HS, DSM and DDH. These owners might have been VOC officers residing in Deshima, officials in Batavia, or people in the Netherlands with a VOC connection. (Jörg 1989/1), (Hartog 1990), (Jörg 2003/1)

The motif of the dragon chasing the Buddhist pearl, so often depicted on Chinese ceramics, is relatively rare on Japanese export ware. The design of a shishi as a main motif on a blank ground is unusual. (Jörg 1989/1, p.137, cat. 1458 & 149)

For other objects decorated with a Karashishi, please see:

The 'gallipot' shape is probably not as early as is usually suggested. Nowhere in the early records is any bottle-shape qualified; the word used is that for bottle, only. (Ayers, Impey & Mallet 1990)

The flange below the neck was to facilitate the tying-on of a cloth cover. (Impey 2002)

Condition: Firing flaws and a firing tension hairline between both flanges and a fleabite and frit to the rim.

References:

Jörg 1989/1, pp. 396-407

Hartog 1990, cat. 157

Jörg 1991, cat. 14

Impey 2002, cat. 131

Jörg 2003/1, pp.209-210, cat. 148 & 149

Price: Sold.