Japanese Porcelain
Japanese Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares 18th Century
Page 2
Japanese Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares 18th Century - Page 2
Object 2012141
Coffee pot
Japan
1700-1720
Height with cover 315 mm (12.40 inch), height without cover 265 mm (10.43 inch), diameter handle to spout 265 mm (10.43 inch), diameter of mouthrim 90 mm (3.54 inch), diameter of footring 150 mm (5.91 inch), weight with cover 1,826 grams (64.41 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 88 grams (3.10 ounce (oz.))
Coffee pot of conical shape on three flat modelled feet. Curved, flat pierced handle, replaced wooden domed cover with pointed knob. The hole for the mounted Dutch brass tap in the lower part is surrounded by a kiku-flower modelled in low relief. Decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with two heart-shaped panels outlined in underglaze blue and filled with a flower-head on an iron-red ground. In between stylised flowers, foliage and a cockerel with a hen. On the handle florets between scrolls.
As was the case with tea, it was not until the end of the 17th century that drinking coffee became popular in Europe. each town had his own coffee house, where everyone - which in fact meant mainly men - could enjoy drinking a cup of coffee. The Dutch East India Company, (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC), started off mainly importing coffee from Yemen, experimenting only later with plantations of their own in Java.
However, drinking coffee had for centuries already been a common practice in the Middle East. European coffee pots were therefore often modelled after Islamic copper examples. Two types of coffee pots were most frequently commissioned in Asian porcelain: conical and belly-shaped. The conical shaped pot originally came from Japan. After brewed coffee was poured into this luxurious porcelain pot, it was held warm on a stand and subsequently served through a metal tap which had later been added to the pot after it had been imported to the Netherlands. At the bottom of the pot the coffee grounds were collected. Coffee pots from China, where both types were made, don't feature a tap but a spout. (The World at Home, exhibition Groninger Museum 17 june 2017 - 31 march 2019)
Coffee pots, usually three-legged, are common in blue-and-white and in enamelled Imari. Usually there is one hole left for a tap to be fitted in Europe, occasionally there are three. (Ayers, Impey & Mallet 1990, p.213)
For an identically shaped, sized and decorated coffee pot, please see:
Condition: Overall fine crazing to the glaze, a circular firing tension hairline, caused by the firing process, to the base and a glaze chip to the body.
References:
Ayers, Impey & Mallet 1990, p.213
Price: € 749 Currency Converter
Japanese Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares 18th Century - Page 2
Object 2010C310
Tea bowl and saucer
Japan
1700-1730
Height of tea bowl 44 mm (1.73 inch), diameter of rim 76 mm (2.99 inch), diameter of footring 32 mm (1.26 inch), weight 52 grams (1.83 ounce (oz.))
Height of saucer 22 mm (0.87 inch), diameter of rim 130 mm (5.12 inch), diameter of footring 62 mm (2.44 inch), weight 119 grams (4.20 ounce (oz.))
Tea bowl and saucer on footrings, slightly everted rims. Imari decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red, green, yellow, black and gold with a central flower spray surround by a double underglaze blue band. On the sides three reserves filled with a flowering peony spray alternating with three butterflies in flight between a flower head with leafy stems. On the rim a zig-zag lines-pattern border. On the reverse six flower sprays, near the footring and on the base a single concentric band and on the footring a double concentric band in underglaze blue. The teacup is decorated en suite.
On Japanese ceramics butterflies (Jap.: chõ-chõ; Chin.:hu-tieh) are most frequently pictured in combination with the peony. This composition is of Chinese origin. It not only includes the combination of richness (peony) with happiness (butterfly) but also a rebus. Written with a different ideograph, tieh also means 'double'. The addition of a butterfly to an emblem of good fortune indicates its double effectiveness. (Arts 1983, p.124)
The decorative style on this teacup and saucer is very similar to that used on other, earlier sold, Japanese Imari tea ware. The translucent enamel colours, the zig-zag lines-pattern borders and the reverses with the three widespread flower sprays are all very similar. This could indicate that these may be the product of a single workshop but may or may not be the product of a single kiln, specialised in these high-quality tea wares. Judging by Dutch 18th century sales and inventories, Japanese porcelain was quite expensive at the time and even more highly valued than its Chinese counterpart.
For, earlier sold, Japanese tea wares similarly decorated in this style, please see:
Condition:
Teacup: Perfect.
Saucer: A firing flaw and some enamel loss.
Reference:
Price: € 399 Currency Converter
Japanese Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares 18th Century - Page 2
Object 2012325
Teapot
Japan
1700-1720
Height with cover 95 mm (3.74 inch), height without cover 70 mm (2.76 inch), diameter handle to spout 120 mm (4.72 inch), diameter of mouthrim 42 mm (1.65 inch), diameter of foot 52 mm (2.04 inch), weight with cover 233 grams (8.21 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 41 grams (1.45 ounce (oz.))
Globular pear-shaped teapot on footring, fluted body. Curved handle and a straight spout. Ribbed cover and knob. Imari, decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with irises, reeds and three zigzag plank bridges (yatsuhashi). On the handle a floret between scrolls and on the spout stylised spays. On the cover two wide spread flower sprays.
For an identically decorated coffee pot, please see:
For an identically decorated sugar bowl, please see:
Condition: Firing flaws on the handle and cover, a fleabite and a frit to the inside rim of the cover.
Reference:
Price: € 599 Currency Converter
Japanese Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares 18th Century - Page 2
Object 2011578
Sugar bowl
Japan
1710-1730
Height 50 mm (1.96 inch), diameter of rim 87 mm (3.43 inch), diameter of footring 38 mm (1.50 inch), weight 89 grams (3.14 ounce (oz.))
Small bowl on footring, steep sides and straight rim. Imari decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with on the outside irises, reeds and three zig-zag plank bridges (yatsuhashi), On the bottom a single flower spray in a single concentric band.
A bowl of this size, to large to be used as a coffee cup or tea bowl, would probably have been part of a coffee or tea service and served as a sugar bowl.
For another identically shaped and sized sugar bowl, please see:
Impey illustrates an identically decorated coffee pot and states that an identical example is in the collection or Oriental ceramics in the Groninger Museum, Groningen. (Impey 2002, p.206)
For an identically decorated teapot, please see:
Condition: Perfect.
Reference:
Price: € 199 Currency Converter
Japanese Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares 18th Century - Page 2
Object 2010C285
Teapot
Japan
1710-1730
Height with cover 97 mm (3.82 inch), height without cover 73 mm (2.87 inch), diameter handle to spout 134 mm (5.28 inch), diameter of mouthrim 39 mm (1.54 inch), diameter of footring 49 mm (1.93 inch), weight with cover 225 grams (7.93 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 24 grams (0.85 ounce (oz.))
Small oviform teapot on footring. Curved handle, slightly bent spout. Domed cover with round knob. Imari decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red, gold and a light-pinkish gold wash with flowering plants and a white hare running away from swelling, foaming waves. Around the foot a border with flowers and leaves. On the handle and spout florets between scrolls. The cover is decorated en suite.
Apparently, the motif of the running hare was popular on Japanese porcelain. It is generally depicted combined with waves or the moon in some form or amidst waving pampas grass.
This particular hare pattern is known on bowls, teacups and saucers and a rare milk jug, indicating that tea sets with matching parts were made for export.
The hare (usagi) is associated with the moon and old age. Legends says that the female conceives by running on the waves – represented by the curved underglaze blue lines - on the 18th day of the 8th month when the sky is clear and the moon is reflected in the water. The female can also conceive by licking the fur of the male during the same period or simply by gazing at the moon.
Another version of the legend tells of a white hare on the island of Oki who wanted to go to the mainland. As he could not swim, he cunningly asked a number of crocodiles to line up in the water, under the pretence of counting them, to see if there were more crocodiles in the sea than hares on Oki. He had almost reached the shore by jumping across their backs, when the last crocodile saw through his deception and snapped off all his fur before the hare leapt ashore. ((Arts 1983, pp.113-114, p.143, plate 89), (Piggott 1997, pp.109-110, Fitski 2002, p.6), (Jörg 2003/1, pp.117-118), (Fitski 2011, p158)
Yet another account says that the crocodiles ran after him and snapped his white fur to take revenge because he had laughed at them for their stupidity. After the hare repented and promised never to use deceit again, the fairy Okuni-nushi-no-Mikoto helped him regrow his fur. (source: http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/72/japanese-fairy-tales/4887/the-white-hare-and-the-crocodiles/)
For an identically shaped and decorated teapot is in the collection of Oriental Ceramics in the Groninger Museum, Groningen, please see:
For bowls and a rare milk jug with identical decoration, please see:
- Fine & Curious: Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections, (C.J.A. Jörg, Hotei publishing, Amsterdam, 2003), pp. 117-118, cat. 126 & p.197, cat. 247a.
- Japanese Porcelain - Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Page 1 - Object 2011559.
-
Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Other wares - Page 1 - Object 2011372.
Condition: A restored cover and tip of the spout. A hairline to the base, originating from a firing flaw caused by the firing process in the centre of the base due to it being potted to thinly.
References:
Arts 1983, pp.113-114 & p.143, plate 89
Jörg 2003/1, cat. 126, 247 & 247a
Price: € 349 Currency Converter
Japanese Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares 18th Century - Page 2
Object 2012010A
Saucer
Japan
1700-1720
Height 22 mm (0.86 inch), diameter of rim 118 mm (4.65 inch), diameter of footring 68 mm (2.68 inch), weight 93 grams (3.28 ounce (oz.))
Saucer on footring, slightly everted rim. Imari decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with a three-piece garniture on a horizontal band over a diaper pattern. The covered jar is decorated with floral designs and zig zag lines pattern borders, the vases are decorated with rows of dots. One of the vases is filled with branches of flowering chrysanthemum and carnation the other with branches of flowering peony and carnation. The reverse is decorated with three stylized flower sprays and three blue circles round the foot. On the base a single blue circle. Some kiln sand adhering to the base.
An identically shaped, sized and decorated teacup and saucer is in the Dresden collection (Johanneum mark 'N:108'' and signum '+'.). It was acquired July 1723 from Count Flemming. (Reichel 1981, p.150, cat. 52)
For this identically shaped, sized and decorated teacup and saucer in the Dresden collection, please see:
- Early Japanese Porcelain: Arita Porcelain in the Dresden Collection, (F. Reichel, Londen 1981), cat. 52.
- SKD Online collection, PO. 5049.
Jörg states that the use of garnitures as a decorative motif on tea ware was probably done as a suggestion of luxury, he illustrates it with a teacup and saucer decorated with an interesting five-piece garniture. A similar but simplified motif is seen on Delftware pieces, which were probably inspired by such Japanese examples. (Jörg 2003/1, pp.198-199, cat. 250)
For a teacup and saucer decorated with a five-piece garniture, please see:
Condition: Perfect.
References:
SKD Online collection, PO. 5049
Price: € 299 Currency Converter
Japanese Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares 18th Century - Page 2
Object 2012305
Saucer
Japan
1700-1730
Height 23 mm (0.90 inch), diameter of rim 121 mm (4.76 inch), diameter of footring 51 mm (2.00 inch), weight 104 grams (3.67 ounce (oz.))
Saucer on footring, straight rim with a slightly everted edge. Imari decorated in underglaze blue with overglaze iron-red, green enamel, gold and a light-pinkish gold wash with a pearl with knotted ribbons in a central roundel. On the sides two dragons chasing a pearl through swirling clouds. The reverse is undecorated.
Chinese dragon, also known as Long or Lung, are legendary creatures in Chinese mythology, Chinese folklore and Chinese culture at large. Chinese dragons have many animal like forms such as turtles and fish, but are most commonly depicted as snake-like with four legs. They traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, typhoons, and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength, and good luck for people who are worthy of it in East Asian culture. During the days of Imperial China, the Emperor of China usually used the dragon as a symbol of his imperial strength and power. Many pictures of Chinese dragons show a flaming pearl under their chin or in their claws. The pearl is associated with spiritual energy, wisdom, prosperity, power, immortality, thunder, or the moon. Chinese art often depicts a pair of dragons chasing or fighting over the flaming pearl. (source: Wikipedia)
The original Chinese design of a dragon chasing a flaming pearl can also be found on other Japanese export wares, for a sold Japanese mustard pot decorated with the design in blue-and-white, please see:
Condition: Perfect.
Reference:
Price: Sold.
Japanese Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares 18th Century - Page 2
Object 2010C234
Saucer
Japan
1700-1740
Height 20 mm (0.79 inch), diameter of rim 112 mm (4.41 inch), diameter of footring 58 mm (2.28 inch), weight 73 grams (2.58 ounce (oz.))
Saucer on footring, slightly everted rim. Imari decorated in underglaze blue, overglaze iron-red, black and gold with a flower spray in a central roundel on the sides a hand cart loaded with a flower pot filled with flowering plants alternating with a bijin in kimono. Around the rim a zig-zag lines pattern border. On the reverse three flowering prunus sprays.
Bijin is a Japanese expression that is derived both from the English word "vision" and used to describe women of beauty. (animenewsnetwork.com)
Two identically shaped, sized and decorated sets of teacups and saucers of which one set was found in England and the other set in the Unites States, are in an English private collection.
For a similarly decorated dish (incised on the base with the inventory mark of the Royal Saxon Collection of King Augustus the Strong), please see;
Condition: A firing flaw to the rim and wear to decoration of the kimonos.
References:
Price: € 149 Currency Converter
Japanese Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares 18th Century - Page 2
Object 2011719
Tea caddy
Japan
1710-1730
Height 98 mm (3.85 inch), diameter 78 mm (3.07 inch), diameter of mouthrim 31 mm (1.22 inch), diameter of footring 50 mm (1.97 inch), weight 166 grams (5.86 ounce (oz.))
Tea caddy of baluster form on a splayed, domed foot with a fluted body. Upright neck, rim unglazed inside for cover, now missing. Imari decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with three kidney-shaped panels reserved on a dark blue ground filled with flowering plants and birds. The panels are flanked by three flowerheads on a dark blue ground with leafy scrolls in gold.
Japanese export porcelain tea caddies are relatively rare.
For an identically shaped and decorated tea caddy, please see:
Condition: A shallow frit to the rim and a small chip to the foot.
Price: € 299 Currency Converter
Japanese Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares 18th Century - Page 2
Object 2011223
Saucer
Japan
1710-1730
Height 19 mm (0.75 inch), diameter of rim 97 mm (3.82 inch), diameter of footring 46 mm (1.81 inch), weight 47 grams (1.66 ounce (oz.))
Saucer on footring, slightly everted rim. Imari decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with irregular panels filled with flower sprays and butterflies on a cobweb. The reverse is undecorated.
Cobwebs are an unusual motif on Arita export ware. (Jörg 2003/1, p.199)
For an identically decorated teacup and saucer, please see;
For other objects decorated with a cobweb, please see:
Condition: A firing flaw to the footring.
References:
Price: € 149 Currency Converter
More pictures of object 2011265, another identically, shaped, sized and decorated saucer >>
create websites