Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Tableware and other Porcelain with Western Shapes - Page 1

Object 2012071A

Ewer

Japan

1660-1680

Height 267 mm (7.83 inch), diameter 155 mm (4.33 inch), diameter of mouthrim 43 mm (1.10 inch), diameter of footring 91 mm (2.68 inch), weight 1,308 grams (46.14 ounce (oz.))

Large ewer of ovoid body on spreading takefushi or 'bamboo-noded' foot. Narrow waisted neck and large cup-shaped mouth with pinched spout. Curved pierced handle. Decorated in a, sketchily drawn, Chinese Transitional style in underglaze blue with peony and banana plants, a phoenix in flight and two birds perched on a rock. Formal broad blue bands round the foot and neck. Round the shoulder a floral scroll border and on the cup-shaped mouth two flowers who bear the well-known 'tulip' design. On the handle a floret between scrolls.

The Chinese Transitional style was virtually unknown in Japan until it was introduced by the Dutch. Japanese potters were not asked to imitate original Chinese porcelains by the Dutch; instead they were given wooden models which had probably been painted by Delft pottery decorators (though this is undocumented) or earthenware (presumably Delft). It is hardly surprising therefore, that the resultant Japanese essays in Transitional style are far from the original both in design and execution. Many shapes are Chinese, and some are Near Eastern, but others reflect Delft wares or at least Delft variations on a Chinese theme. Most Japanese Transitional style wares are in closed shapes, mugs, jugs, jars and ewers; most Kraak style pieces are in open shapes, plates and bowls. The piercing on the handles of this and similar shapes is original, and was intended for the silver or other metal mount that would customarily have been added in Europe. (Impey 2002, pp.42-49 & p.49)

The shape of the bulging foot, which spreads and then turns sharply inward, is seen on many ewers of this period as well as on later jars, vases and other pieces. It is a distinctively Japanese feature, called takefushi, 'bamboo-noded' foot. (Jörg 2003/1, p.74)

The flower motif on the cup-shaped mouth replaces similarly located 'tulip' designs on Chinese Transitional export porcelain. (Jörg 2003/1, p.160)

2012071A & 2011142

Object 2012071A is of an unusual large size, on the photograph above it stands together with object 2011142, another Japanese ewer of normal size.

For a similarly shaped and decorated ewer, please see:

Chinesisches und japanisches Porzellan in europäischen Fassungen, ( D.F. Lunsingh Scheurleer, Verlag Klinkhardt & Biermann, Braunschweig,1980), p.382, cat. 399.

For similarly shaped ewers, please see:

Condition: Firing tension hairlines to the handle, caused by the firing process.

References:

Lunsingh Scheurleer 1971, cat. 172

Lunsingh Scheurleer 1980, cat. 399

London 1997, cat. 16

Impey 2002, pp.42-49 & p.49

Jörg 2003/1, p.74 & cat. 177

Price: Sold.