Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese wares with Western Designs 1653-1800

Object 2011806

Dish

Japan

c.1700

Height 35 mm (1.38 inch), diameter of rim 204 mm (8.03 inch), diameter of footring 128 mm (5.04 inch), weight 357 grams (12.59 ounce (oz.))

Dish on footring, lobed sides with an underglaze brown-edged rim. On the base four spur-marks in a Y-pattern. Decorated in underglaze blue with a river scene with boats, a gentleman in profile is wearing a cap, his beard sticking out, his paunch protruding, looks towards the edge of the picture, a slightly smaller servant holds a large parasol above his master's head on the bank. A tower or pagoda with several storeys rises above the shoreland. Spiral clouds in the sky and round the tower. A flower and leaf border round the rim. On the reverse a scroll with pendent karakusa. On the base a square fuku (good luck) mark in seal script. (Jörg 2003/1, p.150, cat. 168)

This dish is to be seen in the context of a group of Japanese porcelains whose decorative elements were influenced by European models, for example etchings by the Dutch painter Frederic van Frytom (around 1632-1702). The Dresden dish does not display a European scene, but East Asian and Western landscape elements and figures presented in an unusual combination. The representation of the clouds and the surface of the water, however, seem s to have been modelled on European etchings. The decorations of Japanese Chinoiseries may have been a combination of different decorative elements since clouds or the motif of a gentleman and his servant under a parasol appear on numerous porcelains (Ströber 2001, p.158)

The pagoda like the parasol may have been appealing to Western buyers interested in Orientalia. The motif of the man and his parasol-bearing servant is known on related Kakiemon-style pieces. The shift in perspective from the river scene to the relatively enormous men on the bank is quite remarkable. (Jörg 2003/1, p.150, cat. 168)

Twickel Castle, Delden, The Netherlands has a large set of these dishes in three different sizes, 190 mm (7.48 inch), 205 mm (8.07 inch) and 225 mm (8.86 inch). (Jörg 2003/1, p.150, cat. 168)

For identically decorated dishes, please see:

For slightly larger dishes that also show the motif of a group of Chinese watching 'miniature fishermen', please see:

Condition: Restored.

References:

Ayers, Impey & Mallet 1990, cat. 134

Kassel 1990, cat. 244a/b

Ströber 2001, pp.9-11 & cat.70

Impey 2002, cat. 143

Jörg 2003/1, cat. 168

Price: Sold.