Japanese Porcelain
Japanese Imari 1690-1800
Page 2
When internal wars began to impede the production of, and consequently the trade in, Chinese porcelain toward the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), several Dutch Merchants began to buy porcelain in Japan. At the same time, the production of faience pottery in Delft was stimulated, in order to compensate the shortage of Chinese porcelain. From 1658 onward, the Dutch East India Company, (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC) also recognized these commercial opportunities and began to order greater quantities of porcelain from Japan. In addition to a very diverse assortment of blue-and-white porcelain. largely in the style of traditional Chinese export goods, the coloured Japanese porcelain formed an unexpected new article in the Netherlands. It soon became very fashionable and the Company was able to generate a great deal of profit in this field.
One potter who benefited greatly from the new Dutch orders was Sakaida Kakiemon, who owned a porcelain kiln near Nangawara, just outside Arita. His porcelains characterized by a lucid whit composition and texture with decorations in various tints of enamel including orange-red, grass-green and blue.
By the second half of the 17th century, this porcelain had already seen the rise of a serious rival, the so-called Imari porcelain, named after the port in Kyushu from which it was shipped. This Imari was cheaper, and had vibrant, full decoration in cobalt blue, orange-red and gold, occasionally with extra details in green enamel, aubergine or black. It was manufactured specifically for export and harmonized perfectly with the baroque taste of the buyers in the Netherlands. It became so popular that the Chinese also began to produce it from the 18th century onward.
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Page 2
Object 2011927
Dish
Japan
1700-1720
Height 45 mm (1.77 inch), diameter of rim 333 mm (13.11 inch), diameter of footring 162 mm (6.38 inch), weight 1,328 grams (46.84 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, spreading flat rim. The glaze heavily crackled. On the base three spur-marks in a V-pattern. Imari, decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with a large flowering cherry tree growing from behind a fenced terrace on which a jardinière filled with flowering plants. On the sides, a blue ground, leafy scrolls in gold and eight panels, four large and four small, filled with flowering plants. On the rim four reserved panels filled with flowering peony, prunus, pine and bamboo alternating with leafy scrolls and chrysanthemums and peony flower heads. On the reverse three sprays of iris and prunus blossom. The dish stands crooked due to the firing process.
Condition: Some wear to the decoration and fine crackled glaze.
Price: € 799 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1680-1800 - Page 2
Object 2011233
Bowl
Japan
1700-1730
Height 126 mm (4.96 inch), diameter 245 mm (9.64 inch), diameter of footring 86 mm (3.39 inch), weight 1,445 grams (50.97 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring. slightly everted rim. Imari, decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with three panels filled with flowering chrysanthemum and irises growing from behind a fence, reserved on a dark blue ground with flower heads and foliate scrolls in gold. Round the foot three panels filled with flowering peony alternating with two singe flower heads reserved on a dark blue ground with foliate scrolls in gold. Round the footing a pointed leaves-pattern border. On the base a single concentric band. On the bottom a flower vase on a terrace filled flowering chrysanthemum, peony and leafy scrolls in a double concentric band, the sides are undecorated. Round the rim a flower head between scrolls alternating with a pointed fence on a underglaze dark blue ground with foliate scrolls in iron-red and gold.
For an identically decorated écuelle with cover, please see:
Condition: Some firing flaws.
Reference:
Price: € 899 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Page 2
Object 2010C313
Dish
Japan
1700-1740
Height 49 mm (1.93 inch), diameter of rim 272 mm (10.71 inch), diameter of footring 140 mm (5.51 inch), weight 708 grams (24.97 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, flat rim. On the base four spur-marks in a Y-pattern. Imari, decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with a phoenix or pheasant perched on rockwork looking up to another phoenix or pheasant in flight. Various flowering plants originate from the rockwork, On the sides three pine trees each enclosing a large golden roundel. The pine trees are flanked by blossoming prunus and cherry trees. On the reverse three widespread flowering cherry blossom sprays. On the base a rectangular paper label with the handwritten letter 'M' in blue ink.
For a smaller but identically shaped and decorated dish, please see:
- The Shibata Collection Part II, (The Kyushu Ceramic Museum, Kyushu, 1991), p.223, cat. 560.
- Complete Catalogue of the Shibata Collection, (The Kyushu Ceramic Museum, Kyushu 2003), p.363, cat. 2848.
Condition: Two firing flaws to the rim, caused by the firing process.
References:
Price: € 899 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800- Page 2
Object 2012251
Covered bowl
Japan
1700-1720
Height with cover 95 mm (3.74 inch), height without cover 65 mm (2.56 inch), diameter 132 mm (5.20 inch), diameter of footring 64 mm (2.52 inch), weight with cover 418 grams (14.74 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 198 grams (6.98 ounce (oz.))
Covered bowl on footring. Straight sides, domed cover with strap handle. Imari, decorated with in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold. On the box three reserves filled with flowering chrysanthemum plants growing from banded hedges, three connected bamboo sticks and a butterfly in flight alternating with a flower head on an underglaze blue ground with foliate sprays in gold. On the outer footring two concentric bands in underglaze blue. The cover is decorated en suite. The strap handle decorated in gold and iron-red is flanked by two groups of half flower heads with leafy scrolls and is surrounded by a border with three groups of wide spread leaves.
Until around 1650, all porcelain imported to Europe comprised blue-and-whitewares. Inspired by Chinese porcelain, Japanese potters experimented with coloured enamels. The Dutch East India Company, (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC) focused on these new colourful wares as trade articles from the moment they were made. The decorations on this porcelain are frequently derived from Chinese examples. Imari decorations were among those that developed during this experimental phase.
Imari porcelain is named after the port Imari, from where porcelain was shipped to the Dutch Factory on Deshima Island in Nagasaki. Imari objects are usually decorated with exuberant and lively depictions. Besides underglaze blue, the other two dominant colours are iron-red and gold.
In 1680, Private traders replaced the Dutch East India Company, (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC) as the main trading partner in Japan. They focused on porcelain made in European shapes. The high point of this production occurred around 1700. Besides tableware, garnitures and ornamental dishes were produced, As with Chinese porcelain, enamelled objects and porcelain were very popular.
(source: Keramiek Museum Princessehof, Leeuwarden)
The shape, most likely, derived from a European (silver) model, it was used as a small tureen. Jörg describes a bowl with cover on three low feet with a matching saucer this may indicate that originally the covered box also might have had a matching saucer. (Jörg 2003/1, p.110, cat. 113)
For similarly shaped covered bowls, please see;
- Ko-Imari from the collection of Oliver Impey, (Barry Davies Oriental Art, London, 1997), pp. 168-169, cat. 95.
- Fine & Curious: Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections, (C.J.A. Jörg, Hotei Publishing, Amsterdam, 2003), p.111, cat. 116.
Condition: Two firing tension hairlines, caused during the firing process, to the base, two frits to the footring and a hairline with fleabite to the bowl.
References:
Price: € 299 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Page 2
Object 2010732
Beaker vase
Japan
1700-1730
Height 318 mm (12.52 inch), diameter of mouthrim 170 mm (6.69 inch), diameter of footring 80 mm (3.15 inch), weight 1,327 grams (46,81 ounce (oz.))
Large beaker vase on footring, waisted cylindrical shape spreading to the rim, a takefushi-shaped foot. Imari decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with two groups of pierced rockwork with flowering peony and chrysanthemum plants. Round the neck two panels reserved on a dark blue ground filled with flowering plants and birds. The panels are flanked by three chrysanthemum flower heads on a dark blue ground with leafy scrolls in gold. Round the rim a border with panels filled with antiquities in iron-red alternating with antiquities in underglaze blue. Just above the foot a border with upturned spiky lotus leaves and round the foot a spiral border. On the inside two wide spread flower sprays with leafy scrolls.
This large beaker vase was once part of a garniture which mostly consisted of three covered oviform-shaped jars and two cylindrical beaker vases with spreading mouths, all with the same decoration, They were very popular in The Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe, where they were used as decorative items in the interior. (Jörg 2003/1, p.259)
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)
Condition: Two unglazed spots on the rim and fine crazing to the glaze.
Reference:
Price: € 599 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1680-1800 - Page 2
Object 2012049
Bowl
Japan
1710-1730
Height 96 mm (3.78 inch), diameter 201 mm (7.91 inch), diameter of footring 72 mm (2.83 inch), weight 677 grams (23.88 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring, straight rim. Imari, decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with three panels, filled with flowering chrysanthemum, hydrangea and peony plants, reserved on a dark blue ground with flower heads and foliate scrolls in gold. Round the foot six panels filled with flowering plants reserved on a dark blue ground with foliate scrolls in gold. Round the footing a marubatsu pattern (modern Japanese for 'naughts and crosses' or 'Os and Xs'). On the bottom a flower vase, with shaped handles, on a terrace filled with coxcomb and peony flowers. On the sides a fruiting peach spray and flowering peony and iris sprays.
Condition: Perfect.
Price: € 599 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Page 2
Object 2010624
Beaker vase
Japan
1700-1730
Height 218 mm (8.58 inch), diameter of mouthrim 124 mm (4.88 inch), diameter of footring 65 mm (2.56 inch), weight 776 grams (27.37 ounce (oz.))
Beaker vase on footring, waisted cylindrical shape spreading to the rim, a takefushi-shaped foot. Imari decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with around the foot a spiral-pattern border and just above the foot two widespread flowering irises sprays. On the body flowering peony, pine, cherry and iris plants with a reserve filled with a river scape. Round the neck an upturned leaf-shaped border filled with flowering peony and leafy scrolls on a gold ground alternating with chrysanthemum flower heads with leafy scrolls in gold on an underglaze-blue ground, above and in between each panel a floret between scrolls. Round the rim two panels reserved on a dark blue ground filled with a flower head and leafy scrolls in gold alternating with panels with half flowerheads and leafy scrolls on an iron-red ground. On the inside two widespread flower sprays with leafy scrolls.
This beaker vase was once part of a garniture which mostly consisted of three covered oviform-shaped jars and two cylindrical beaker vases with spreading mouths, all with the same decoration, They were very popular in The Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe, where they were used as decorative items in the interior. (Jörg 2003/1, p.259)
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)
Condition: Some unglazed firing flaw spots and some fine crazing to the glaze.
Reference:
Price: € 299 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Page 2
Objects 2012335, 2012336 & 2012337
Two small oviform covered jars and a small baluster beaker vase
Japan
1700-1720
2012335 Height with cover 118 mm (4.64 inch), height without cover 91 mm (3.58 inch), diameter 60 mm (2.36 inch), diameter of mouthrim 30 mm (1.18 inch), diameter of footring 31 mm (1.22 inch), weight with cover 141 grams (5.68 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 22 grams (0.81 ounce (oz.))
2012336 Height with cover 120 mm (4.72 inch), height without cover 94 mm (3.70 inch), diameter 63 mm (2.48 inch), diameter of mouthrim 31 mm (1.22 inch), diameter of footring 38 mm (1.50 inch), weight with cover 147 grams (5.68 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 20 grams (0.81 ounce (oz.))
2012337 Height 92 mm (4.62 inch), diameter 41 mm (1.61 inch), diameter of mouthrim 25 mm (0.98 inch), diameter of footring 28 mm (1.10 inch), weight 76 grams (5.68 ounce (oz.))
Miniature garniture consisting of two covered baluster jars and a baluster beaker vase on footrings. The oviform jars with wide, upright necks. Domed covers and pointed knobs. All with a takefushi shaped foot and decorated in overglaze iron-red and gold. Around the foot and shoulder decorated with a continuous foliate scroll, on the body a, highly unusual, decoration of a temple complex within walls. Round the necks pointed leaves-pattern borders. The covers are decorated en suite.
These two covered baluster jars and baluster beaker vase were once part of a garniture which mostly consisted of three covered oviform-shaped jars and two cylindrical beaker vases with spreading mouths, all with the same decoration, They were very popular in The Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe, where they were used as decorative items in the interior. (Jörg 2003/1, p.259)
For an identically, shaped, sized and decorated, miniature baluster vase with cover in the collection of the Ackland Art Museum, please see:
Conditions:
2012335: A firing flaw to the footring and two to the rim, the pointed knob restored.
2012336: A firing flaw to the footring, the pointed knob restored.
2012337: Restored after being broken in multiple pieces.
Reference:
Price: € 299 Currency Converter
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