Japanese Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares 18th Century

Object 2011259B & 2011259C

A pair of tea bowls and saucers

Japan

1700-1730

2011259B: Height of tea bowl 32 mm (1.26 inch), diameter of rim 68 mm (2.68 inch), diameter of footring 30 mm (1.18 inch), weight 48 grams (1.69 ounce (oz.))

2011259C: Height of tea bowl 32 mm (1.26 inch), diameter of rim 68 mm (2.68 inch), diameter of footring 29 mm (1.14 inch), weight 38 grams (1.34 ounce (oz.))

2011259B: Height of saucer 23 mm (0.91 inch), diameter of rim 122 mm (4.80 inch), diameter of footring 61 mm (2.40 inch), weight 89 grams (3.14 ounce (oz.))

2011259C: Height of saucer 23 mm (0.91 inch), diameter of rim 123 mm (4.84 inch), diameter of footring 61 mm (2.40 inch), weight 102 grams (3.60 ounce (oz.))

A pair of tea bowls and saucers on footrings, slightly everted rims. Imari decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red, gray, yellow and black enamel with gold with a central flower spray surround by a double underglaze blue band. On the sides two hart-shaped reserves one filled with a flowering chrysanthemum spray the other with a flowering peony spray both on a golden ground and alternating with riverscapes with pagodas, trees, mountains and waterfalls. On the rims bands with up and down turned lotus leaves filled with lines. On the reverses two widespread flower sprays, near and on the footrings three concentric bands in underglaze blue. On the bases a single flower spray. The tea bowl is decorated en suite.

The decorative style on this teacup and saucer is very similar to that used on other, earlier sold, Japanese Imari tea ware. The translucent enamel colours, the zig-zag lines-pattern borders and the reverses with the three widespread flower sprays are all very similar. This could indicate that these may be the product of a single workshop but may or may not be the product of a single kiln, specialised in these high-quality tea wares. Judging by Dutch 18th century sales and inventories, Japanese porcelain was quite expensive at the time and even more highly valued than its Chinese counterpart.

For a identically shaped sized and decorated, sold, tea bowl and saucer, please see:

Japanese Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares 18th Century - Object 2011259A.

Conditions:

2011259B Tea bowl: Perfect.

2011259C Tea bowl: Perfect.

2011259C Saucer: Some fine crazing to the glaze caused during the cooling down process after the firing process.

2011259C Saucer: Some fine crazing to the glaze caused during the cooling down process after the firing process.

Price: € 599 Currency Converter