Japanese Kakiemon / Kakiemon-style wares - Kakiemon-style wares - Page 1

Object 2012507

Dish

Japan

1680-1700

Height 28 mm (1.10 inch), diameter of rim 222 mm (8.74 inch), diameter of footring 123 mm (4.84 inch), weight 384 grams (13.55 ounce (oz.))

Dish on footring, flat rim. On the base four spur-marks in a Y-pattern. Decorated in underglaze blue with two Hó-ó birds perched on a rock amongst chrysanthemums and peonies. On the sides and rim a border with birds, flowers and scrolling foliage. The reverse is undecorated.

2012508 a 2012506 a

Comparison between object 2012507 and sold object 2012506 (not included in this sale/offer.)

Barry Davies states that plates of this design appear to have one of two types of borders: birds in flight amongst flowers and foliage, or one of Kraak style. This design is also known in coloured enamels. Sherds of similar examples have been found at the Kakiemon kiln site. (London 1997, p.36)

In Japan the bird on the rock, the Hó-ó, is a mythological animal, emblematic of imperial authority. It is considered a symbol of wisdom, strength and also an inhabitant of the Buddhist Paradise. According to legend it would perch only on a kiri- or Paulownia Imperialis tree (Chinese: Wu t’ung). Carving the wood of the kiri is an art form in Japan and China. Several Asian string instruments are made from it, including the Japanese koto. The leaves and blossom of the Paulownia Imperialis became the official crest (mon) of the Empress of Japan. The kiri tree is emblematic of rectitude (Arts 1983, p.133 & 149)

According to Fitski Kakiemon production can be divided into two groups: pieces made in Nangawara which we call 'Kakiemon' and pieces made in Uchiyama, for which we use the appellation 'Kakiemon style'. This dish is representative of a group of pieces, mainly dishes, without the milky-white nigoshide body which is the main characteristic of Kakiemon. In this case, the porcelain is greyish with some impurities or kiln grit on the front and back. Such pieces were not made by the Kakiemon kiln, but by contemporary competitors and are therefore referred to as Kakiemon style. (Jörg 2003/1, p.75 & cat. 62), (Fitski 2011, pp.70-71, p. 90 & p. 97)

For similarly shaped, sized and in underglaze blue, Kakiemon-style decorated dishes, please see

Ko-Imari from the collection of Oliver Impey, (Barry Davies Oriental Art, London, 1997), pp. 100-101, cat. 49.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Kakiemon / Kakiemon style wares - Objects 2011910A, 2011930 and 2011931.

For a similarly, in underglaze blue with enamels, Kakiemon-style decorated dish, please see:

For a similarly shaped, sized and in underglaze blue, Kakiemon-style decorated dish with the Kraak-style border please see

Japanese Kakiemon / Japanese Kakiemon-style wares - Japanese Kakiemon-style - Object 2012506.

Condition: Some firing flaws.

References:

Arts 1983, p.133 & 149

London 1997, cat. 49

Jörg 2003/1, p.75 & cat. 62

Kyushu 2003, cat. 1545

Fitski 2011, pp.70-71, p.90 & p.97, cat. 108, 109 & 110

Price: € 799 Currency Converter