Japanese Porcelain
Japanese Imari 1690-1800
Imari with no Underglaze Blue, Iron-red and Gold only
Page 1
In category 36 'Coloured Imari with no underglaze blue, iron-red and gold only' of his Japanese export porcelain, Impey states that 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)
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Imari with no Underglaze Blue, Iron-red and Gold only - Page 1
Object 2012057
Covered jar
Japan
c.1700
Height with cover 225 mm (8.86 inch), height without cover 148 mm (5.82 inch), diameter of mouthrim 75 mm (2.95 inch), diameter of footring 56 mm (2.20 inch), weight including cover 673 grams (23.74 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 143 grams (5.04 ounce (oz.))
Oviform jar on footring, recessed base. Wide upright neck. High domed cover with everted rim, the finial modelled as a shishi seated on a rock, decorated in Iron-red and gold with two groups of flowering plants (chrysanthemum and peonny) growing from behind a fence. Onm the shoulder draped curtains tied with ribbons and hanging tassels. On the upright neck florets between scrolls. The cover is decorated en suite, the shishi was lacquered and painted gold in Europe (of which only small spots have remained).
In category 36 'Coloured Imari with no underglaze blue, iron-red and gold only' of his Japanese export porcelain, Impey states that 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)
This covered jar might have originally been part of garniture consisting of three covered oviform-shaped jars and two cylindrical beaker vases with spreading mouths. They were very popular in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe where they were used as decorative items in the interior. Large garnitures could only be afforded by the nobility and well to do who displayed them in the representative rooms and galleries of their palaces and country houses. They were often placed on specially made pedestals or were mounted and functioned as exotic eyecatchers. Placed inside the fireplace they hid the blackened wall from view in summer and filled with sand, these jars were used as extinguishers near fire-places. (Hartog 1990, p.130, cat 158)
The origin of the five-piece set has not been established yet but it seems logical to look to China, which influenced Japanese export wares in so many ways. Transitional pieces, including large covered jars with an enamelled decoration, reached The Netherlands in the 1640s, and clearly had a decorative function in the Dutch Interior. When Chinese production waned, the Japanese took over and from the late 17th century started to make similar jars and beakers in underglaze blue to order for the Dutch. Then, suddenly, they were no longer single objects but parts of five-piece sets. Large scale porcelain production for export was resumed in China in the early 1680s and many new shapes emerged. Apparently, the garniture set was among them. What exactly triggered the change from the single vase or beaker to a set is not known. Japanese covered jars decorated in underglaze blue usually show Chinese elements such as phoenixes, large flowering plants, rocks, and sometimes figures in a landscape setting. Most jars are globular or oviform. They reflect the relatively rare hexagonal and octagonal Chinese pieces, in particular the Transitional jars of the 1640's. The Chinese had stopped producing polygonal jars in the middle of the 17th century. This Japanese preference for any-sided pieces is also apparent in the shape of dishes, saucers and bowls made for export from the late 17th century onwards. Covers of jars are domed and often quite high. The knobs are large and either flattened, round or pear-shaped and rarely facetted as is the case with this jar It is interesting to note that the decoration on the Arita pieces does not imitate some of the specific Chinese Kangxi patterns, such as the characteristic division in bands of panels but show two or three wide panels filled with motifs taken from nature or a free-flowing composition all over the surface. Complete blue-and-white garnitures are extremely rare nowadays, and most existing single vases or jars might in fact have been part of such a set. When the five-piece sets became popular, the blue-and-white pieces were largely replaced by their polychrome (Imari) counterparts. (Jörg 2003/1, pp.259-260)
Condition:
Jar: Two firing flaws to the body.
Cover: Fine crazing to the glaze and extensive wear to the lacquer and gold painting on the shishi.
References:
Price: € 299 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Imari with no Underglaze Blue, Iron-red and Gold only - Page 1
Object 2012526
Teapot
Japan
1690-1720
Height with cover 85 mm (3.35 inch), height without cover 63 mm (2.48 inch), diameter handle to spout 125 mm (4.92 inch), dimensions of square mouthrim 38 mm (1.49 inch) x 38 mm (1.49 inch), diameter of footring: 40 mm (1.58 inch), weight with cover 183 grams (6.46 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 26 grams (0.92 ounce (oz.))
Square teapot with rounded sides on a low, square firing-ring. The lower body bulges before reverting to a square shape. A square shaped domed cover with a square knob finial. Curved handle and spout. Imari decorated in iron-red and gold. The sides decorated with two designs of flowering peony alternating with chrysanthemum plants Corners of body picked out with narrow red and gold lines. On the handle and spout a floret between scrolls. The red and gold lines continue from corners, dividing the cover onto four panels containing flowers similar to those on the body.
In category 36 'Coloured Imari with no underglaze blue, iron-red and gold only' of his Japanese export porcelain, Impey states that 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)
For an identically shaped teapot, please see;
-
Japanese Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares 18th Century - Page 1 - Object 2010380.
- Japanese Export Porcelain. Catalogue of the Collection of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, (O. Impey, Hotei Publishing, Amsterdam, 2002), p.207, cat. 344 and p. 208, cat. 347.
- Christie's Collections. Teapots, (P. Tippett, Marshall Editions, London, 1996), p. 20.
Condition: Perfect.
References:
Price: € 699 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Imari with no Underglaze Blue, Iron-red and Gold only - Page 1
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:
Price: € 149 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Imari with no Underglaze Blue, Iron-red and Gold only - Page 1
Object 2012229
Miniature bottle
Japan
1690-1720
Height 56 mm (2.20 inch), diameter of mouthrim 5 mm (0.20 inch), diameter of foot 20 mm (0.79 inch), weight 20 grams (0.71 ounce (oz.))
Miniature cylindrical bottle with a slightly spreading foot on a flat unglazed base, the shoulder tapering into a long, narrow neck. Imari decorated in overglaze iron-red and gold with grasses, flowering plants and insects in flight.
The use of this miniature bottle is unknown, It is too large to be placed in a doll's house. In general, miniatures were included in groups of decorative porcelain placed on shelves, brakets and consoles in the Dutch interior, or in the porcelain rooms of the grand houses such as those still in Pommersfelden and Charlottenburg, Germany. Similar miniature objects were also made of silver and glass, and the pieces of Japanes (and Chinese) porcelain fit into the general trend. (Jörg 2003/1, p.190)
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: A firing flaw to the body.
References:
Price: € 349 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Imari with no Underglaze Blue, Iron-red and Gold only - Page 1
Object 2011992
Miniature bottle ("doll's house" vase)
Japan
1690-1720
Height 41 mm (1.61 inch), diameter 24 mm (0.94 inch), diameter of mouthrim 6 mm (0.23 inch), diameter of foot 17 mm (0.67 inch), weight 13 grams (0.46 ounce (oz.)),
Double-gourd miniature bottle ("doll's house" vase) on a flat unglazed base. Shaped like a baluster vase. Imari decorated in overglaze iron-red and gold with various flower sprays.
This small miniature "doll's house" vase could have been used for the furnishing of a doll's house.
At the beginning of the 18th century, there was a fashion among wealthy Dutch ladies to have models made on the scale of a house, the so called "doll's houses". The rooms of these doll's houses were furnished with miniature pieces of porcelain, furniture, paintings, upholstery and all other sorts of objects that would have belonged to the interior of a wealthy home. These doll's houses were very costly and certainly not meant for children to play with but were proudly displayed for friends and visitors and regarded as extremely luxurious items - counterparts of the cabinets of curiosities that were a fashionable hobby of rich men. Only a few of these doll's houses have been preserved. One example can be found in the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague showing an 18th century room with porcelain miniatures in cupboards and on brackets along the wall.
In reality the majority of these "miniature doll's house vases" would have been part of the interior. A good example of an authentic porcelain room is the famous cabinet in Pommersfelden Castle, Germany, where groups of pieces on brackets are surrounded by these miniature vases lining the borders of the consoles.
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)
For an identically shaped and decorated miniature bottle ("doll's house" vase) see;
For an identically shaped and similarly decorated miniature bottle ("doll's house" vase) see;
Condition: Two tiny firing flaws.
References:
Jörg & Flecker 2001, pp.50-52.
Price: € 199 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Imari with no Underglaze Blue, Iron-red and Gold only - Page 1
Object 2011789
Miniature bottle
Japan
1690-1720
Height 52 mm (2.05 inch), diameter of mouthrim 5 mm (0.20 inch), diameter of foot 20 mm (0.79 inch), weight 18 grams (0.63 ounce (oz.))
Miniature cylindrical bottle on a flat unglazed base, the shoulder tapering into a long, narrow neck. Imari decorated in overglaze iron-red and gold with grasses, flowering plants and insects in flight.
The use of this miniature bottle is unknown, It is too large to be placed in a doll's house. In general, miniatures were included in groups of decorative porcelain placed on shelves, brakets and consoles in the Dutch interior, or in the porcelain rooms of the grand houses such as those still in Pommersfelden and Charlottenburg, Germany. Similar miniature objects were also made of silver and glass, and the pieces of Japanes (and Chinese) porcelain fit into the general trend. (Jörg 2003/1, p.190)
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: A shallow glaze frit to the rim.
References:
Price: € 299 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Imari with no Underglaze Blue, Iron-red and Gold only - Page 1
Object 2011100
Miniature bottle ("doll's house" vase)
Japan
1690-1720
Height 52 mm (2.05 inch), diameter 28 mm (1.10 inch), diameter of mouthrim 5 mm (0.20 inch), diameter of foot 20 mm (0.79 inch), weight 17 grams (0.60 ounce (oz.)),
Double-gourd miniature bottle ("doll's house" vase) on a flat unglazed base. Shaped like a baluster vase. Imari decorated in overglaze iron-red and gold with bamboo leaves and a single carnation flower head.
This small miniature "doll's house" vase could have been used for the furnishing of a doll's house.
At the beginning of the 18th century, there was a fashion among wealthy Dutch ladies to have models made on the scale of a house, the so called "doll's houses". The rooms of these doll's houses were furnished with miniature pieces of porcelain, furniture, paintings, upholstery and all other sorts of objects that would have belonged to the interior of a wealthy home. These doll's houses were very costly and certainly not meant for children to play with but were proudly displayed for friends and visitors and regarded as extremely luxurious items - counterparts of the cabinets of curiosities that were a fashionable hobby of rich men. Only a few of these doll's houses have been preserved. One example can be found in the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague showing an 18th century room with porcelain miniatures in cupboards and on brackets along the wall.
In reality the majority of these "miniature doll's house vases" would have been part of the interior. A good example of an authentic porcelain room is the famous cabinet in Pommersfelden Castle, Germany, where groups of pieces on brackets are surrounded by these miniature vases lining the borders of the consoles.
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)
For an identically shaped and similarly decorated miniature bottle ("doll's house" vase) see;
Condition: A fleabite and two frits to the rim.
References:
Jörg & Flecker 2001, pp.50-52.
Price: € 149 Currency Converter
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