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Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century

Other wares

Page 1

The knowledge and expertise required to make porcelain was already present in Japan as far back as the early 17th century. According to legend a Korean potter discovered clay suitable for making porcelain near Arita on the island of Kyushu in the south of Japan in around 1605. Porcelain made from this clay, called shoki-Imari, was intended for the foreign market and soon acquired a surprisingly characteristic Japanese style of decoration, first with a blue underglaze decoration and later in enamel colours. The experience of the manufacturers with enamel colours turned out to be of great importance later. (source: Groninger Museum, Groningen)

When Japanese potters started to make porcelain. It was inspired by underglaze blue porcelain manufactured in kilns of Southern China. By the mid-17th century, Chinese porcelain went into decline due to social unrest and accompanying dynastic change. Dutch merchants, from their base on the small island of Deshima, near Nagasaki, were permitted to trade with Japan. Responding to European demand, the Dutch encouraged the fledgling Japanese porcelain industry to fill the gap left by China.

The porcelain the Dutch brought to Europe in the 17th century was in most cases consciously designed to cater to western tastes. To ensure that they would find a ready market, the Dutch often made wooden or earthenware models of designs and sent those to Japan to be copied.

Flasks, ewers and large dishes are examples for shapes made for the Dutch. They are painted in underglaze blue or a palette of enamels dominated by red, green and blue with flowers, figures and landscapes which would not follow traditional Japanese aesthetics. Vessels with landscape designs are often inspired by 17th century Chinese Transitional style. Plates decorated with designs organized by panels imitate the successful blue-and-white Chinese Kraak ware. To make these export wares even more attractive for the Dutch clients numbers of early Japanese export wares are painted with a stylized tulip, referring to the tulipomania, the great Dutch craze of the 1630s. (source: Keramiek Museum Princessehof, Leeuwarden)

2012620

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2012620

Jar

Japan

1660-1680

Height 164 mm (6.46 inch), diameter of mouthrim 68 mm (2.68 inch), diameter of footring 72 mm (2.83 inch), weight 651 grams (22.96 ounce (oz.))

Jar of slender, almost symmetrical oval shape on footring with a short neck and a wide mouthrim (the original cover is missing). Decorated, rather sketchily in a Chinese Transitional style, in underglaze blue with figures in s landscape, two near a large tree, two holding a banner. On the neck a schematic lappet border

The shape and decoration imitate a model of Chinese transitional porcelain, but the related Chinese jars are usually larger and wider (a good selection was in the Hatcher junk sale, see Sheaf 1988). It is remarkable that this specific slender oval shape is rare in Japanese export porcelain. Surviving Arita pieces are mostly of this type and usually with a similar decoration; larger ones seem not be known. The motif of figures with a banner occurs often on blue-and-white ware of this period. (Jörg 2003/1, p.33)

For identically shaped, sized and decorated jars, please see:

Condition: Two frits to the tootring.

References:

Lunsingh Scheurleer 1971, cat. 161

Oxford 1981, cat. 58 & cat. 61

Price: Sold.

2012418

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2012418

Vase

Japan

1660-1680

Height 412 mm (16.22 inch), diameter belly 231 mm (9.09 inch), diameter of mouthrim 80 mm (3.15 inch), diameter of footring 115 mm (4.53 inch), weight 3,266 grams (115.20 ounce (oz.))

Large pear-shaped vase on footring, tall neck with spreading mouthrim. A spur-mark on the base. Decorated in underglaze blue with a landscape with banana trees and figures, one holding a parasol. Round the neck a border with large upturned pointed leaves.

This decoration is basically derived from Chinese transitional porcelain. However, the robust pear-shaped body gradually tapering to the neck and the profiled mouthrim are typically Japanese. This shape does not occur in transitional porcelain and may be derived from an Islamic model or a mid-16th century bottle. An almost identical example is in the Groninger Museum, Groningen. (Jörg 2002/2, p. 182)

Impey states that this shape, with its everted lip, is an enlarged version of the early Shoki-Imari bottles found at such kilns as Tengudani. These are developments of an earlier Korean shape. (Impey 2002, p.38)

For similarly shaped, sized and decorated vases, please see;

Condition: A filled chip to the outer footring.

References:

Lunsingh Scheurleer 1971, cat. 120

Jenyns 1979, cat. 11B

Daendels 1981, cat. 59

Lunsingh Scheurleer 1982, cat. 223

Ayers, Impey & Mallet 1990, cat. 43

London 1997, cat. 15

Impey 2002, cat. 1, 2 & 3

Jörg 2002/2, cat. 124

Jörg 2003/1, cat. 11

Price: Sold.

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2012650

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Object 2012650

Bottle

Japan

c.1690

Height 273 mm (10.75 inch), diameter belly 161 mm (6.34 inch), diameter of mouthrim 30 mm (1.18 inch), diameter of footring 91 mm (3.58 inch), weight 913 grams (32.21 ounce (oz.))

Pear-shaped bottle on footring, long neck, everted mouthrim. Decorated in underglaze blue with flowering peony plants growing from rockwork with a bird in flight alternating with a flowering prunus tree with a bird perched on a branch, in between grasses.

Even with such an all-over decoration as here, bottles of this type nearly always have an empty border below the decoration. (Impey 2002, p.102)

For an identically shaped, sized and decorated bottle, please see:

Inside the bottle, unable to retrieve, is small rolled up piece of paper with old hand written in dark ink.

1000019547

Condition: Perfect.

References:

Impey 2002, cat. 111

The Ashmolean Museum, object EA.1978.765

Price: Sold.

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2012451

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Object 2012451

Apothecary bottle

Japan

1670-1700

Height 350 mm (13.78 inch), diameter belly 220 mm (8.66 inch), diameter of mouthrim 47 mm (1.85 inch), diameter of footring 105 mm (4.13 inch), weight 2,073 grams (73.12 ounce (oz.))

Globular bottle on footring, tapering neck, the mouth with a double flange. Decorated in underglaze blue with a Karashishi flanked by flowering peony branches.

Apothecary bottles belong to the earliest Japanese export wares to be shipped from Deshima to Batavia. In 1653 Batavia received from Deshima 2000 'porcelain bottles, pots, pots for salves and preserves'. The bottles were probably used for medicinal liquids and oils. However it is not known whether this type of bottle actually served this purpose. The shape is derived from a Western glass model. Some are small and plain white, (often later over-decorated in the Netherlands) others are large to very large and decorated in underglaze blue. There is a special group, that features Latin initials as part of the decoration, these are sometimes on the base, but usually appear on the body in a circle or wreath. They do not always make sense as abbreviations of the (medical) content and it is widely assumed that these initials stand for the name of their owners. Known initials are: IC, IVH, PVD, PW, IS-M, PD, LVR, VOC, Ds. Vandr. Hof, RW, FW, CB, CK, VCL, LG, AL, HS, DSM and DDH. These owners might have been VOC officers residing in Deshima, officials in Batavia, or people in the Netherlands with a VOC connection. (Jörg 1989/1), (Hartog 1990), (Jörg 2003/1)

The motif of the dragon chasing the Buddhist pearl, so often depicted on Chinese ceramics, is relatively rare on Japanese export ware. The design of a shishi as a main motif on a blank ground is unusual. (Jörg 1989/1, p.137, cat. 1458 & 149)

For other objects decorated with a Karashishi, please see:

The 'gallipot' shape is probably not as early as is usually suggested. Nowhere in the early records is any bottle-shape qualified; the word used is that for bottle, only. (Ayers, Impey & Mallet 1990)

The flange below the neck was to facilitate the tying-on of a cloth cover. (Impey 2002)

Condition: Firing flaws and a firing tension hairline between both flanges and a fleabite and frit to the rim.

References:

Jörg 1989/1, pp. 396-407

Hartog 1990, cat. 157

Jörg 1991, cat. 14

Impey 2002, cat. 131

Jörg 2003/1, pp.209-210, cat. 148 & 149

Price: Sold.

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2011726

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2011726

Apothecary bottle

Japan

1670-1700

Height 210 mm (8.26 inch), diameter belly 142 mm (5.59 inch), diameter of mouthrim 35 mm (1.38 inch), diameter of footring 79 mm (3.11 inch), weight 728 grams (25.68 ounce (oz.))

Globular bottle, on footring, tapering neck, the mouth with a double flange. Two spur-marks on the base. Decorated in underglaze blue with branches of flowering peony and foliage. On the shoulder a blue band, on the neck flowering plants and grasses.

The 'gallipot' shape is probably not as early as is usually suggested. Nowhere in the early records is any bottle-shape qualified; the word used is that for bottle, only. (Ayers, Impey & Mallet 1990)

The flange below the neck was to facilitate the tying-on of a cloth cover. (Impey 2002)

For a similarly decorated apothecary bottle, please see;

For a Japanese teacup decorated with a 'FW' initialled bottle, please see:

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese wares with Western Designs 1653-1800 - Object 2010609.

For a Japanese miniature apothecary bottle, please see:

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - Imari with no Underglaze Blue, Iron-red and Gold only - Page 1 - Object 2010790.

Condition: A restored mouthrim.

References:

Jörg 1989/1, pp. 396-407

Ayers, Impey & Mallet 1990, cat. 40

Hartog 1990, cat. 157

Impey 2002, p.104

Jörg 2003/1, pp.209-210

Kyushu 2003, cat. 1799

Price: Sold.

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2012651

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2012651

Double-gourd bottle

Japan

1660-1680

Height 350 mm (13,77 inch), diameter 177 mm (6.97 inch), diameter of mouthrim 50 mm (1.97 inch), diameter of footring 78 mm (3.07 inch), weight 1,477 grams (52.09 ounce (oz.))

Gourd-shaped bottle on footring. The tall neck with a spreading mouthrim. Decorated in underglaze blue. On the lower bulb figures in a landscape with plant, trees, rocks and swirling clouds, On the shoulder a continuous floral scroll. On the upper bulb two figures in a landscape with trees, plants, rocks and clouds. Around the neck a border with ascending and descending lotus leaves.

The shape and decoration are derived from Chinese traditional models. although the long neck markedly spreading mouth are more frequently encountered on large Japanese pieces than Chinese. Such large gourd vases are relatively common; curiously, smaller examples seem to be much mor rare. (Jörg 2003/1, p.29)

For a similarly shaped and decorated large size double-gourd bottle, please see:

Fine & Curious, Japanese export porcelain in Dutch Collections, (C.J.A. Jörg, Hotei Publishing, Amsterdam, 2003), p.29, cat. 10.

Condition: A firing tension hairline to the base, caused by the firing process. A small restoration to the rim and a chip to the footring.

Reference:

Jörg 2003/1, cat.10

Price: Sold.

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2012376

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2012376

Small size double-gourd bottle

Japan

1660-1680

Height 110 mm (4.33 inch), diameter 68 mm (2.68 inch), diameter of mouthrim 26 mm (1.02 inch), diameter of footring 35 mm (1.38 inch), weight 133 grams (4.69 ounce (oz.))

Small size double-gourd bottle with flaring neck on footring. Decorated in underglaze blue. On the lower bulb a landscape with a seated figure, enclosed by a single and a double line. On the upper bulb, plants on rocks, enclosed by double lines. Around the neck a border of descending lotus leaves.

Double-gourd bottles of this small size are relatively uncommon, and the shape usually bears a later version of the Transitional style decoration. (Impey 2002, p.46, cat.16)

For similarly shaped small size double-gourd bottles, please see:

Condition: Perfect with fine crazing to the glaze on the base and round the foot. Two glaze firing flaws to the inner mouth and firing flaws to the base and footring all caused by the firing process.

References:

Kassel 1990, cat. 232

Kyushu 1991, cat. 332

Impey 2002, cat. 16

Kyushu 2003, cat. 1390

Price: Sold.

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2010937

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Object 2010937

Small size double-gourd bottle

Japan

1660-1680

Height 128 mm (5.04 inch), diameter 78 mm (3.07 inch), diameter of mouthrim 25 mm (0.98 inch), diameter of footring 44 mm (1.73 inch), weight 170 grams (6.00 ounce (oz.))

Small size double-gourd bottle with flaring neck on footring. Fitted with an engraved and marked silver mount. Decorated in underglaze blue. On the lower bulb a bird perched on a branch of a flowering plant, enclosed by a single and a double line. On the upper bulb, sprays of flowering branches enclosed by double lines. Around the neck a border of descending lotus leaves.

Double-gourd bottles of this small size are relatively uncommon, and the shape usually bears a later version of the Transitional style decoration. (Impey 2002, p.46, cat.16)

For similarly shaped bottles, please see:

Condition: Perfect.

References:

Kassel 1990, cat. 232

Kyushu 1991, cat. 332

Impey 2002, cat. 16

Kyushu 2003, cat. 1390

Price: Sold.

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2012438

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2012438

Small size double-gourd bottle

Japan

1660-1680

Height 113 mm (4.45 inch), diameter 68 mm (2.68 inch), diameter of mouthrim 25 mm (0.98 inch), diameter of footring 35 mm (1.38 inch), weight 131 grams (4.62 ounce (oz.))

Small size double-gourd bottle with flaring neck on footring. Decorated in underglaze blue. On the lower bulb flowering and fruiting peaches with insects in flight enclosed by a single and a double line. On the upper bulb, flower sprays alternating with insects in flight enclosed by a double an a single line. Around the neck a border of descending pointing lotus leaves.

Double-gourd bottles of this small size are relatively uncommon, and the shape usually bears a later version of the Transitional style decoration. (Impey 2002, p.46, cat.16)

For similarly shaped small size double-gourd bottles, please see:

Condition: Perfect with fine crazing to the glaze on the base and round the foot. Three firing flaws to the footring caused by the firing process.

References:

Kassel 1990, cat. 232

Kyushu 1991, cat. 332

Impey 2002, cat. 16

Kyushu 2003, cat. 1390

Price: Sold.

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2012582

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2012582

Flask

Japan

Last quarter 17th century

Height 216 mm (8.50 inch), diameter belly 142 mm (5.59 inch), diameter of mouthrim 38 mm (1.50 inch), diameter of footring 86 mm (3.39 inch), weight 843 grams (29.74 ounce (oz.))

Globular flask on footring, short narrowing neck with spreading mouthrim. Decorated in underglaze blue with a flowering chrysanthemum plant growing from rockwork alternating with bamboo growing from rockwork, in between plants and grasses growing from rockwork. On the shoulder and neck bands with lappets.

On this flask we can see that the two styles - Chinese and Japanese - mingled, and although Chinese pictorial elements were always strong, the Japanese porcelain painters introduced a touch of their own. The underglaze blue painting on this flask is bold, 'free'', more individual than on Chinese pieces and unmistakenly Japanese and clearly recognisable as such. Identification is also helped by the uneven blue (which is sometimes very dark due to impurities in the cobalt), the grey-blue hue of the glaze, the greenish pooling of the glaze in recesses, and the relatively heavy weight. (Jörg 2003/1, p.24)

For similarly shaped, sized and decorated flasks, please see;

The Shibata Collection Part II, (The Kyushu Ceramic Museum, Kyushu, 1991), pp.204-205, cat. 527,528,529 & 530.

Condition: A restored mouthrim.

References:

Kyushu 1991, cat. 527, 528, 529 & 530

Jörg 2003/1, p.24

Price: Sold.

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2012508

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2012508

Bowl

Japan

c.1670

Height 107 mm (4.21 inch), diameter of rim 215 mm (8.46 inch), diameter of footring 79 mm (3.11 inch), weight 790 grams (27.87 ounce (oz.))

Bowl on footring, straight sides. Decorated in underglaze blue with three panels with flowering plants. In between the panels flower heads with leafy sprays. Round the inner rim a geometric-pattern border. On the bottom a large flower head with leafy branches in a double concentric band. Marked on the base with the Chokichidani (Arita) ovens mark within a single-lined circle, underglaze blue.

Sherds of similar bowls have been found at the Nishinobori kiln (not Chokichidani).

Such bowls would probably have been made for the South-East Asian market, similarly shaped, sized and decorated bowls are in a Dutch and English private collection.

For a similarly decorated Japanese bowl with the Chokichidani (Arita) ovens mark, please see:

For a sold dish, marked with the Chokichidani (Arita) ovens mark, please see:

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Dishes - Page 1 - Object 2011955.

Condition: Some firing flaws.

Price: Sold.

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2012172

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2012172

Bowl

Japan

c.1670

Height 106 mm (4.17 inch), diameter of rim 215 mm (8.46 inch), diameter of footring 85 mm (3.35 inch), weight 810 grams (28.57 ounce (oz.))

Bowl on footring, straight sides. Decorated in underglaze blue with three stylised medallions filled with a flower head surrounded by flower sprays alternating with dots. In between the medallions flower heads with leafy sprays, round the base a pointed pendant leaves-pattern border. Round the inner rim a geometric-pattern border. On the bottom two large flower heads with leafy branches in a double concentric band. Marked on the base with the Chokichidani (Arita) ovens mark within a single-lined circle, underglaze blue.

Sherds of similar bowls have been found at the Nishinobori kiln (not Chokichidani).

Such bowls would probably have been made for the South-East Asian market, another similarly shaped, sized and decorated bowl is in an English private collection.

For a similarly decorated Japanese bowl with the Chokichidani (Arita) ovens mark, please see:

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1 - Object 2012171.

For a sold dish, marked with the Chokichidani (Arita) ovens mark, please see:

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Dishes - Page 1 - Object 2011955.

Condition: A popped bubble of glaze, caused by the firing process, to the inner rim and some rough spots to the footring.

Price: Sold.

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2012171

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2012171

Bowl

Japan

c.1670

Height 93 mm (3.66 inch), diameter of rim 208 mm (8.19 inch), diameter of footring 69 mm (2.72 inch), weight 803 grams (28.32 ounce (oz.))

Bowl on footring, straight sides. Decorated in underglaze blue with three stylised medallions filled with flower sprays alternating with half flower heads and leafy branches, round the base a pointed pendant leaves pattern border. Round the inner rim a geometric pattern border. On the bottom a large flower head with leaves in a double concentric band. Marked on the base with the Chokichidani (Arita) ovens mark within a single-lined circle, underglaze blue.

Sherds of similar bowls have been found at the Nishinobori kiln (not Chokichidani).

Such bowls would probably have been made for the South-East Asian market, another identically shaped, sized and decorated bowl is in an English private collection.

For a sold dish, marked with the Chokichidani (Arita) ovens mark, please see:

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Dishes - Page 1 - Object 2011955.

Condition: A few firing flaws.

Price: Sold.

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2012637

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2012637

Covered bowl

Japan

1680-1700

Height with cover 332 mm (13.07 inch), height without cover 216 mm (8.50 inch), diameter of mouthrim 287 mm (11.30 inch), diameter of footring 141 mm (5.55 inch), weight with cover 3,450 grams (121,70 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 1,644 grams (57.99 ounce (oz.))

Covered bowl on footring, steep sides. Domed cover with flattened knob. On the base one spur-mark. Decorated in underglaze blue with two large phoenixes or pheasants one in flight the other perched on rocks alternating with flowering peonies. Round the base a border with spiky upturned lotus leaves. The cover is decorated en suite with karakusa and lappet bands.

Covered bowls of this type probably came without a matching dish and served as a tureen in the West. The origin of the shape is unclear, but it is likely that Chinese bowls with a cover (large 'sugar bowls') were the source of inspiration. In arita the type was obviously made for export an adapted to meet Dutch demands. Apparently, they were made in mor or less fixed sizes. The most common is the large bowl with a height of 30-35 cm. However, smaller sizes (of different design) are also known in underglaze blue, and it is suggested here that they may have been sets consisting of three or more blue bowls of matching design, which fitted into each other. (Jörg 2003/1, p.170)

For similarly shaped, sized and decorated covered bowls, please see:

Condition:

Jar: a hairline to the rim.

Cover: restored after being broken in multiple pieces

References:

Lunsingh Scheurleer 1971, cat. 162

London 1997, cat. 28

Ströber 2001, cat. 73

Jörg 2003/1, cat. 204

Price: Sold.

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2012267

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2012267

Covered jar

Japan

1680-1700

Height with cover 152 mm (5.98 inch), height without cover 108 mm (4.25 inch), diameter of rim 131 mm (5.16 inch), diameter of footring 80 mm (3.15 inch), weight with cover 810 grams (28.57 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 232 grams (8.18 ounce (oz.))

Cylindrical jar on high foot, recessed base. Domed cover with flattened knob. Decorated in underglaze blue with a mountainous landscape with a large pine tree. Round the foot a double concentric band. The cover is decorated en suite.

This type of covered jar might have be used as a small tureen in the West. In Arita the type was obviously made for export and adapted to meet Dutch demands. Therefore this type of covered jar can be categorized as a Western shape. They are were made in more or less fixed sizes.

For a similarly shaped covered jar, please see:

Condition:

Jar: A restored hairline and restored chips to the rim and inner footring.

Cover: Restored, (broken in three pieces).

References:

Kyushu 1991, cat. 682

Kyushu 2003, cat. 2469

Price: Sold.

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2011411

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2011411

Kendi

Japan

1670-1690

Height 159 mm (6.26 inch), diameter 99 mm (3.90 inch), diameter of mouthrim 20 mm (0.79 inch), diameter of footring 50 mm (1.97 inch), weight 355 grams (12.55 ounce (oz.))

Kendi on footring, spout on the shoulder, long cylindrical neck ending in a splayed mouth with overturned rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with a simplified landscape. On the shoulder a band with single dots and a broad monochrome underglaze blue band on the spout and neck a flower spray.

This small kendi is rather sketchily painted. The band with dots may have been derived from the small border panels with simplified tassels and dots of the late kraak pieces. The flower sprays indicate a late 17th-century date. Similar kendis are in the Toguri Museum Tokyo, and several other collections. A ribbed variety is also known.

Jörg states that the kendi is a drinking and pouring vessel widely used in Asia. Its basic shape is a bulbous body, a long neck and a tubular or breast-shaped (mammiform) spout on the shoulder. The kendi has no handle and one holds it by the neck and drinks from the spout. The kendi seems to have evolved from the Indian kundika and spread throughout Asia, changing shape and adapting to existing local vessels for similar use. Kendis of Chinese kraak porcelain of the first half of the 17th century and Japanese kendis of the second half were part of the Dutch East India Company's (VOC) porcelain assortment for the inter-Asian trade. Apparently, they also reached The Netherlands in small quantities, probably as part of the belongings of retiring VOC employees. They were not used according to their traditional function in The Netherlands and must only have been decorative items or were filled with flowers as shown on paintings. Kendis were not used in Japan (or China) and were made exclusively for export in Arita from the 1660s. Kendis usually have a smooth body, but Japanese potters frequently made a variety that is vertically ribbed by moulding the piece. Another characteristic of Japanese kendis is the broad overturned mouthrim, seen less often in Chinese pieces.

Arts states that the gorgelet (Portuguese: gorgoletta) or ghendi of the Japanese was originally a drinking vessel in general use everywhere in Asian countries. The porcelain form originated during the Ming period probably from a far older earthenware prototype. Later on, after the habit of tobacco-smoking appeared in Asia at the beginning of the 17th century, it was also used as a nargileh base in many Mohammadan countries. The VOC registers indicate that ghendi were made by the Japanese more or less from the beginning, as an imitation of the Chinese examples. In 1669 Bengal ordered from Deshima twenty large and small ghendi. The biggest market was Southeast Asia. In 1671 Chinese junks carried a consignment of 700 Japanese-made ghendi from Deshima to Batavia and another six hundred in the following year.

A comparison in size between object 2011411 and object 2012166, object 2012166 is not included in this sale/offer.

For an identically shaped, sized and decorated kendi, please see:

Condition: Some restored spots to the underside of the overturned rim.

References:

Arts 1983, p.50, Pl. 23

Kyushu 1990/1, cat. 91 & 92

Jörg 2003/1, pp.63-66

Price: Sold.

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2012427

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2012427

Kendi

Japan

1670-1690

Height 205 mm (8.07 inch), diameter 155 mm (6.10 inch), diameter of mouthrim 52 mm (2.05 inch), diameter of footring 91 mm (3.58 inch), weight 910 grams (32.10 ounce (oz.))

Ribbed kendi on footring. Mammiform spout on the shoulder, the tall spreading neck is waisted at the base between a single rib. Splayed mouth with overturned rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with a simplified, river scene with a small pavilion and trees. On the shoulder and the front of the spout a karakusa scroll, on the neck a simplified 'tulip' motif, on the rim two flower sprays.

The tulip motif is reminiscent of Chinese Transitional designs, but the sketchily rendered river scene and the floret between scrolls are part of the established repertoire of Japanese designs.

For an identically shaped, sized and decorated kendi, please see:

Condition: Fine crazing to the glaze, caused by the firing process, to the lower part of the kendi.

References:

Lunsingh Scheurleer 1971, cat. 176

Jörg 1982/2, cat. 116

Kyushu 1990/1, cat. 93-97

Jörg 2003/1, pp.63-66

Price: Sold.

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More pictures of object of object 2012511, another identically, shaped, sized and decorated, sold kendi >>

2012643A

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2012643A

Sleeve vase / Rolwagen

Japan

1670-1690

Height 240 mm (9.44 inch), diameter of mouthrim 85 mm (3.35 inch), diameter of footring 80 mm (3.15 inch), weight 678 grams (23.92 ounce (oz.))

Cylindrical sleeve vase or rolwagen, the flat base partially glazed leaving areas of the body exposed and burnt orange during the firing. Short neck, spreading rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with grasses, pine and a large flowering peony plant growing from pierced rockwork. In between these plants a bird and a moth in flight with two flocks of birds. Round the foot and on the shoulder a zig-zag lines pattern border and on the neck and rim a border with descending pointed leaves.

The shape and decoration indicate a model of Chinese 'Transitional' porcelain. Chinese rolwagens - slender, cylindrical vases - were part of the VOC export assortment and enjoyed great popularity in Europe as decorative objects. Considerable number still exists. Therefore, one expects a large production of Japanese imitations, but this is not the case. They are relatively rare and never as large as the Chinese models. The name 'rolwagen' now common in English, is the traditional Dutch name for this type of vase. It may have derived this name (literally, 'rolling wagon') from an element in a scene which frequently occurs on these Chinese vases, namely a figure seated in a cart with two big wheels, the rolwagen. Most surviving Arita examples are small, larger examples are rare. A pair is in the Burghley House Collection, Stamford. (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, p.78, cat. 66), (Jörg 2003/1, p. 32, cat. 15)

The decoration on this rolwagen, shows a Japanisation of the Japanese copy of the original Chinese rolwagen where the figures in a landscape (see sold object 2011857) have been replaced by a more Japanese floral style. The floral decoration refers to the arrival of autumn season. It was used in Japan to decorate the interior during to this season and by doing so creating a different interior atmosphere during each season.

Until now it was believed that these Japanese rolwagens only came in two sizes, small about (c.180 mm 7.08 inch) and the large (c.280 mm 11.02 inch). The height of this rolwagen 240 mm (9.44 inch) clearly indicates that there must have been a third (middle) size as well.

For a similarly shaped small, c.182 mm (7.17 inch), rolwagens, please see:

For identically shaped large, c.280 mm (11.02 inch) rolwagens, please see:

For a similarly decorated Chinese 'Transitional' rolwagen, please see:

Chinese Ceramics in the Collection of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. The Ming and Qing Dynasties, (C.J.A. Jörg in collaboration with J. van Campen, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, London 1997), p.78, cat. 66.

Condition: A firing flaw to the base.

References:

Daendels 1981, cat. 72

Stamford 1981, cat. 50

Ayers, Impey & Mallet 1990, cat. 38

Jörg & Van Campen 1997, cat. 66

Jörg 2003/1, cat. 15

Price: Sold.

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2011857

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Object 2011857

Sleeve vase / Rolwagen

Japan

1660-1680

Height 182 mm (7.17 inch), diameter of mouthrim 76 mm (2.99 inch), diameter of footring 81 mm (3.19 inch), weight 392 grams (13.83 ounce (oz.))

Cylindrical sleeve vase or rolwagen, the flat base partially glazed leaving areas of the body exposed and burnt orange during the firing. Short neck, spreading rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with loose-robed figures in a rock-strewn landscape among pine trees, bamboo and clouds (repeated once with slight variation). On the neck and rim a border with descending pointed leaves.

The shape and decoration indicates a model of Chinese 'Transitional' porcelain. Chinese rolwagens - slender, cylindrical vases - were part of the VOC export assortment and enjoyed great popularity in Europe as decorative objects. Considerable number still exist. Therefore, one expects a large production of Japanese imitations, but this is not the case. They are relatively rare and never as large as the Chinese models. The name 'rolwagen' now common in English, is the traditional Dutch name for this type of vase. It may have derived this name (literally, 'rolling wagon') from an element in a scene which frequently occurs on these Chinese vases, namely a figure seated in a cart with two big wheels, the rolwagen. Most surviving Arita examples are small, larger examples are rare. A pair is in the Burghley House Collection, Stamford. (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, p.78, cat. 66), (Jörg 2003/1, p. 32, cat. 15)

For an identically shaped small, c.182 mm (7.17 inch), rolwagen, please see:

Fine & Curious, Japanese export porcelain in Dutch Collections, (C.J.A. Jörg, Hotei Publishing, Amsterdam, 2003), p.32, cat. 15.

For identically shaped large, c.280 mm (11.02 inch) rolwagens, please see:

For a similarly decorated Chinese 'Transitional' rolwagen, please see:

Chinese Ceramics in the Collection of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. The Ming and Qing Dynasties, (C.J.A. Jörg in collaboration with J. van Campen, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, London 1997), p.78, cat. 66.

Condition: A professionally restored hairline to the rim.

References:

Daendels 1981, cat. 72

Stamford 1981, cat. 50

Ayers, Impey & Mallet 1990, cat. 38

Jörg & Van Campen 1997, cat. 66

Jörg 2003/1, cat. 15

Price: Sold.

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2012276

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2012276

Bowl

Japan

1680-1700

Height 70 mm (2.76 inch), diameter of rim 125 mm (4.92 inch), diameter of footring 44 mm (1.73 inch), weight 218 grams (7.69 ounce (oz.))

Bowl on footring, straight sides. Decorated in underglaze blue with dense leafy scrolls and three large peony flower heads. Round the footring a border with circles and asterisks. On the base pine, prunus and bamboo sprays in a double concentric band. Round the inner rim a continuous tree trunk meandering through clouds and mountains. Marked on the base with the Chinese general four-character mark 'Riches and honour equal to everlasting spring' [Wanli and Chongzhen]. (Davison 1994, cat. 1148)

The Three Friends of Winter (shôchikubai) are pine, Prunus mune and bamboo. Both pine and bamboo remain green throughout the winter, while the early blossoms of the Prunus mune are harbingers of spring. In China, the combination of the positive characteristics attributed to each motif represented the ideal character of the Confucian scholar. They became a subject in Japanese painting in the 15th century, and are also found on Kakiemon porcelain. (Fitski 2011, p.154)

The dense leafy scrolls and three large peony flower heads design on this bowl is very similar to that found on the earlier sold six teacups and saucers (objects 2011624A/F). These six teacups and saucers date from a period in which export porcelain tea sets, comprising of teacups and saucers, tea caddies, milk jugs, sugar and slop bowl, were not yet available. This type of bowl could very well have served as a slop bowl (used to rinse the teacups) during that time.

Condition: Perfect.

References:

Davison 1994, cat. 1148

Fitski 2011, p.154

Price: Sold.

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2012219

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Object 2012219

Bottle

Japan

c.1650

Height 159 mm (6.25 inch), diameter 95 mm (3.74 inch), diameter of mouthrim 13 mm (0.51 inch), diameter of footring 54 mm (2.13 inch), weight 355 grams (12.52 ounce (oz.))

Pear-shaped bottle on footring. The body gradually tapering to a cylindrical neck (shortened). Decorated in underglaze blue with a flowering peony plant. Round the shoulder a border with ascending pointed leaves. Some adhering kiln grit to the footring.

Sets of identical bottles or vases were probably an alternative to the expensive garnitures that were placed on top of porcelain cabinets in the Dutch interior. (Jörg 2003/1, p.99)

For similarly shaped bottles, please see:

Condition: A chip to the rim of the shortened neck.

References

Lunsingh Scheurleer 1971, cat. 116

Daendels 1981, cat. 70

Kassel 1990, cat. 240

London 1997, cat. 10

Suchomel 1997, cat. 14

Impey 2002, cat. 113

Jörg 2003/1, cat. 97

Kyushu 2003, cat. 899

Price: Sold.

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2011525

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2011525

Bottle

Japan

1660-1680

Height 239 mm (9.41 inch), diameter 109 mm (4.30 inch), diameter of mouthrim 30 mm (1.18 inch), diameter of footring 62 mm (2.44 inch), weight 429 grams (15.13 ounce (oz.))

Exhibited: The World at Home: Asian porcelain and Delft pottery held from 17 June 2017 to 10 March 2019 at the Groninger Museum, The Netherlands.

Pear-shaped bottle on footring. The body gradually tapering to a long, cylindrical neck. Decorated in underglaze blue with a single flower spray. On the neck three descending leaves filled with two groups of stone chimes with ribboned beaded pendents and tassels. Some adhering kiln grit to the footring.

Sets of identical bottles or vases were probably an alternative to the expensive garnitures that were placed on top of porcelain cabinets in the Dutch interior. (Jörg 2003/1, p.99)

For similarly shaped bottles, please see:

Condition: A firing flaw with a glaze frit to the rim.

References

Lunsingh Scheurleer 1971, cat. 116

Daendels 1981, cat. 70

Kassel 1990, cat. 240

London 1997, cat. 10

Suchomel 1997, cat. 14

Impey 2002, cat. 113

Jörg 2003/1, cat. 97

Kyushu 2003, cat. 899

Price: Sold.

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2011526

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Object 2011526

Bottle

Japan

1660-1680

Height 236 mm (9.29 inch), diameter 105 mm (4.13 inch), diameter of mouthrim 30 mm (1.18 inch), diameter of footring 62 mm (2.44 inch), weight 433 grams (15.27 ounce (oz.))

Exhibited: The World at Home: Asian porcelain and Delft pottery held from 17 June 2017 to 10 March 2019 at the Groninger Museum, The Netherlands.

Pear-shaped bottle on footring. The body gradually tapering to a long, cylindrical neck. Decorated in underglaze blue with a continuous landscap scene. On the neck three descending leaves filled with two groups of stone chimes with ribboned beaded pendents and tassels. Some adhering kiln grit to the footring.

Sets of identical bottles or vases were probably an alternative to the expensive garnitures that were placed on top of porcelain cabinets in the Dutch interior. (Jörg 2003/1, p.99)

For similarly shaped bottles, please see:

Condition: A chip to the rim.

References

Lunsingh Scheurleer 1971, cat. 116

Daendels 1981, cat. 70

Kassel 1990, cat. 240

London 1997, cat. 10

Suchomel 1997, cat. 14

Impey 2002, cat. 113

Jörg 2003/1, cat. 97

Kyushu 2003, cat. 899

Price: Sold.

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2012544

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2012544

Miniature double-gourd bottle

Japan

1660-1680

Height 90 mm (3.54 inch), diameter 45 mm (1.77 inch), diameter of mouthrim 10 mm (0.39 inch), diameter of footring 30 mm (1.18 inch), weight 70 grams (2.47 ounce (oz.))

Miniature size double-gourd bottle with a long neck on a flat unglazed base. Decorated in underglaze blue. On the lower an upper bulbs rocks and trees alternating with grasses. Around the neck a border of descending pointing lotus leaves.

Double-gourd bottles of this small size are relatively uncommon, and the shape usually bears a later version of the Transitional style decoration. (Impey 2002, p.46, cat.16)

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. (Jörg & Flecker 2001, pp.50-51)

It was a popular pastime for the ladies of the Dutch patrician society to furnish doll's houses, whose various rooms reflected those of their own town palaces. Apart from the usual furniture, miniature versions of exotic luxury goods such as porcelain, fabrics, carpets, and lacquer were obligatory. The doll's house of Petronella Oortman, now in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, and that of Lita de Ranitz in the Historical Museum of the Hague are considered to be the most prominent examples. The Chinese had produced miniature ceramics for almost one thousand years for the decoration of birdcages, therefore it was no problem for them to supply the Dutch with doll's house porcelain. Miniature pieces were also displayed in ordinary porcelain rooms in cupboards and on brackets along the wall. (Suebsman 2019, p.76)

Condition: Perfect.

References:

Jörg & Flecker 2001, pp.50-51

Impey 2002, p.46, cat.16

Price: Sold.

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2010939

Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Other wares - Page 1

Object 2010939

Covered jar (coverted into a waterpot)

Japan

c.1700

Height with cover 156 mm (6.14 inch), height without cover 148 mm (5.83 inch), diameter of rim 176 mm (6.93 inch), diameter of footring 105 mm (4.13 inch), weight with cover 1,229 grams (43.35 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 126 grams (4.44 ounce (oz.))

Cylindrical jar on high foot, recessed base. The original cover is missing and replaced with a wooden domed cover. Decorated in underglaze blue with a continuous mountain / riverlandscape with a figure on a bridge, houses and a large pine tree. Round the foot a double concentric band. The replaced wooden cover is painted black.

This converted jar might have be used as waterpot.

Condition: A small shallow chip to the rim.

Price: Sold.

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2010369

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Object 2010369

Bowl

Japan

2nd half 17th century

Height 52 mm (2.05 inch), diameter of rim 146 mm (5.75 inch), diameter of footring 73 mm (2.87 inch), weight 198 grams (6.98 ounce (oz.))

Bowl or klapmuts on footring, flat rim with upturned edge. On the base a single spur-mark. Decorated in underglaze blue in a Chinese kraak style. In the centre a stag standing amongst pine and rockwork, on the sides four medallions filled with flowers and peaches, separated by narrow panels filled with tassels. The interior rim is decorated with four medallions filled with Taotie monster masks and separated by narrow panels with tassels. On the outside four oval shaped medallions with four stylized flaming pearls, separated by narrow panels filled with lingzhi. in a large circle. The footring has been pierced.

Bowls of this shape with a flat rim are traditionally called klapmuts in Dutch, comparing the shape with a cap with flaps. Rinaldi states that they were specially developed to meet a demand from European customers, who wanted to be able to rest their spoons in the bowl without damaging the edge. In fact the form was already well-known, not as shallow bowls, but as late 15th-early 16th century large and fairly deep dishes in underglaze blue or as Song and early Ming celadon saucers and dishes. The klapmuts is just another variety in the gradual development of this type. The piercing of the footring was done in order to fit a wire through it - the traditional Dutch way to hang dishes on walls as display pieces. (Rinaldi 1989, p.118 & p.137), (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, p.60)

For an identically decorated bowl or klapmuts, please see;

Japans porselein met blauwe decoraties uit de tweede helft van de zeventiende en de eerste helft van de achttiende eeuw, (D.F. Lunsingh Scheurleer, in, Mededelingenblad Nederlandse Vereniging van Vrienden van de Ceramiek, vols. 64/65, 1971), p.53, cat. 2.

Condition: Perfect.

References:

Lunsingh Scheurleer 1971, cat. 2

Daendels 1981, cat. 7a & 7b

Pijl-Ketel 1982, inv. no: 6450.

Rinaldi 1989, p.1118 & p.137

Price: Sold.

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