Japanese Porcelain
Japanese wares over-decorated in the West 18th Century
Page 1
Amsterdams Bont is the name given to a specific group of Japanese or Chinese porcelain that was over-decorated with enamels in the Netherlands. The group consists of bowls, plates, vases, cups and saucers, etc., that were painted in underglaze blue in Jingdezhen or Arita (Japan) and shipped to Holland. Because coloured wares yielded more profits than the ordinary blue-and-white, an additional enamelled decoration was painted on these porcelains. Sometimes this new decoration respects the original Chinese or Japanese decoration and elaborates on it. Other times, however, the Dutch painter was not so respectful and over-painted the blue, creating a chaotic design. Of course, it was easier to paint undecorated pieces that were completely white, for which Japanese wares seem to have been preferred. Over-decorating first appears c.1700 and continued far into the 18th century. It was probably done privately by individuals to generate some extra income. These over-painted pieces were fired in local ceramic factories, which did this in addition to their normal assortment. It is likely that this practise was concentrated in Delft, Makkum and Harlingen where earthenware (faience) was produced, but it could also be done in tile factories such as those in Rotterdam. Notwithstanding the name of this category, there is no indication that it was done on a large scale in Amsterdam. Dated pieces are rare, and because there is almost no documentary information on Amsterdams Bont, it is difficult to say when exactly these pieces were made. Usually, carefully painted objects are regarded as early.
Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont
Japanese wares over-decorated in the West 18th Century - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Page 1
Object 2011993
Saucer
Japan
1700-1730, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont,c.1750-1770
Height 23 mm (0.91 inch), diameter of rim 116 mm (4.57 inch), diameter of footring 51 mm (2.01 inch), weight 87 grams (3.07 ounce (oz.))
Saucer on footring, slightly everted rim. Imari decorated in underglaze blue and gold. The originally blank reverse over-decorated in brown and gold in The Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont c.1750-1770. Decorated with a flower spray in a central roundel. The sides and rim with two flowering cherry trees. The reverse over-decorated in brown with leafy flowering scrolls in gold.
For European decorated oriental porcelain mostly Chinese export porcelain objects were used. Only a small proportion were Japanese.
The demand for Japanese porcelain was strong but production was restricted so here was a gap in the market that the enameller could fill most profitably by giving Chinese porcelain a Japanese look. The simplest way of transferring Chinese porcelain into 'Japanese' was to enhance Chinese blue and white porcelain with iron-red and gold to create the appearance of Imari. (Espir 2005, p.74)
Strangely the brown and gold over-decoration on this Japanese Imari saucer was intended to 'imitate' Chinese Batavia brown (Capucin) ware. It was probably done in Delft, Amsterdam or elswhere in The Netherlands.
Condition: Perfect.
Reference:
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