Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Imari with no Underglaze Blue, Iron-red and Gold only

Object 2010264

Baluster vase

Japan

1690-1720

Height with cover 119 mm (4.69 inch), height without cover 8.2 mm (3.23 inch), diameter 42 mm (1.65 inch), diameter of mouthrim 9 mm (0.35 inch), diameter of footring 35 mm (1.38 inch), weight with cover 72 grams (2.54 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 7 grams (0.25 ounce (oz.))

Six sided baluster vase on footring. Fitted with Dutch silver mounts (marked). Imari decorated in overglaze iron-red and gold with a chrysanthemum and clumps of daisy sprays, around the neck three half chrysanthemum flower heads with leafy scrolls. The silver cover has two marks, 'VK with a half moon, for J.M. van Kempen & Son and the sword mark which was used (1814-1905) as the standard mark on articles too small for full hallmarking.

In O. Impey's "Japanese Export Porcelain. Catalogue of the Collection of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford", Category 36, is devoted to coloured Imari with no underglaze blue, red and gold only. The implication of this singular restriction of palette, without the use of underglaze blue, is that these may be the product of a single enamelling workshop, but may or may not be the product of a single kiln. The restriction is probably one of choice, for it would hardly be cheaper, if at all, to use a wider range of enamels, and no cheaper to use underglaze blue. (Impey 2002, pp.220-221)

Condition: There are some sprays of sand over the glaze of the foot probably caused during the firing process, the neck has been shortened and polished.

Reference:

Impey 2002, pp.220-221

Price: € 149 Currency Converter