Sold Ceramics

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)

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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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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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.

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 Begal ordered from Deshima twenty large and small ghendi. The biggest market was South East Asia. In 1671 Chinese junks carried a consignment of 700 Japanese-made ghendi from Deshima to Batavia and another 600 in the following year.

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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2011857

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

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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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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2011501

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

Object 2011501

Covered jar

Japan

1680-1700

Height with cover 545 mm (21.46 inch), height without cover 445 mm (17.52 inch), diameter of mouthrim 162 mm (6.38 inch), diameter of footring 170 mm (6.69 inch)

Tall ovoid jar on footring, short neck with a wide slightly spreading mouthrim, domed cover with flattened conical knob. Decorated in underglaze blue with three large vertical panels. In each panel a large Hó-ó bird with spread wings on rockwork surrounded by various flowering plants. Between the panels scroll work with flower heads. On the neck, the shoulder and just above the foot bands of lappets. The cover is similarly decorated with three panels, filled with flowering plants and divided by flowering scrolls. On top of the cover a chrysanthemum-flower knob.

In Japan the bird on the rock, the Hó-ó, is a mythological animal and a symbol of wisdom, strength and also an inhabitant of the Buddhist Paradise. According to legend it would perch only on a kiri-twig.

The break-up of the decoration into three panels divided by patterns derives from the kraak style. (Ayers, Impey & Mallet 1990, p.107)

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. 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. (Hartog 1990, p.130, cat 158), (Jörg 2003/1, pp.259-260)

These type of large covered jars may be considered as a form of Japanese 'Chinoiserie' for the European market. In Japan larger covered jars of this kind were called chinkô tsubo (aloe jar), presumably because aromatic substances such as wood were transported in these jars by the the Dutch East India Company, (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC), from South East Asia to Europe. (Ströber 2001, pp.156-157, cat. 69)

For identically shaped and similarly decorated covered jars, please see:

Condition:

Jar: A firing flaw to the inner footring and two restored spots to the mouthrim, one with a connected hairline.

Cover: Restored.

References:

Lunsingh Scheurleer 1971, p.52 & cat. 139 & 140

Reichel 1981, cat. 5

Stamford 1981, cat. 52

Ayers, Impey & Mallet 1990, cat. 54

Hartog 1990, cat 158

Ströber 2001, cat. 69

Jörg 2003/1, pp.259-260

Kyushu 2003, cat. 1804

Price: Sold.

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2011756

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

Object 2011756

Covered jar

Japan

1680-1700

Height with cover 615 mm (24.21 inch), height without cover 409 mm (16.10 inch), diameter of rim 150 mm (5.91 inch), diameter of footring 145 mm (5.71 inch)

Octagonal oviform jar on takefushi-shaped foot. Wide, octagonal upright neck. High, domed cover with flat rim and eight-sided, facetted, pointed knob. On the base a firing spur still attached. Decorated in underglaze blue with a continuous river scene showing large rocks, cloud scrolls, a waterfall, figures on a bridge and in a pagoda, a pine and bamboo tree and a blossoming prunus. On the shoulder a ruyi border and a band with narrow lappets and ruyi. On the mouthrim auspicious symbols alternating with formal flowers. On the cover a similar river scene, the knob with foliate scrolls. Above the foot a band of pointed half-leaves. Round the foot a key-fret pattern.

The pine tree, bamboo and prunus are known as 'The Three friends of Winter' and symbolise endurance, long life and happiness.(Jörg 2003/1, p.263)

These type of large covered jars may be considered as a form of Japanese 'Chinoiserie' for the European market. In Japan larger covered jars of this kind were called chinkô tsubo (aloe jar), presumably because aromatic substances such as wood were transported in these jars by the Dutch East India Company, (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC), from South East Asia to Europe. Shards of this type have been excavated on the site of the Dutch trading post of the VOC. in Nagasaki which are dated 1670-1700. (Ströber 2001, pp.156-157, cat. 69)

For an identically shaped and decorated covered jar, 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.101, cat.151.

For a set of three similarly shaped and decorated covered jars, please see:

La maladie de porcelaine..., East Asian Porcelain from the Collection of August the Strong, (E. Ströber, Edition Leipzig, Berlin, 2001), pp.156-157, cat. 69.

Condition:

Jar: A frit to the rim and a firing tension, star-shaped, hairline to the base.

Cover: A firing flaw to the inside and a hairline with some restored frits and chips to the rim.

References:

Lunsingh Scheurleer 1971, p.52 & cat. 151

Hartog 1990, cat 158

Ströber 2001, cat. 69

Jörg 2003/1, pp.259-260

Price: Sold.

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2011989

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

Object 2011989

Jar

Japan

1660-1680

Height 260 mm (10.24 diameter of mouthrim 105 mm (4.45 inch), diameter of footring 105 mm (4.13nch), weight 2,756 grams (97.22 ounce (oz.))

Published: H.A. Daendels, Catalogus tentoonstelling Japans blauw wit Porselein. Op Hollandse bestelling en in de Japanse smaak, exhibition catalogue Gemeentelijk Museum Het Princessehof, Leeuwarden 1981. Also Published as Mededelingenblad Nederlandse Vereniging van Vrienden van de Ceramiek, vols. 101/102, p.49, cat. 56.

Exhibited: Tentoonstelling Japans blauw en wit porselein. Op Hollandse bestelling en in de Japanse smaak, (exhibition Catalogue Gemeentelijk Museum Het Princessehof), Leeuwarden 10 april tot 19 juni 1981.

Jar on footring, short neck with a wide slightly spreading mouthrim. Fine crazing to the glaze of the lower half of the jar. The original cover is missing. Decorated in underglaze blue with two large panels filled with flowering chrysanthemum separated by lotus and scrolling foliage. On the shoulder a band of chrysanthemum petals and around the neck a band of lappets. On the shoulder a circular paper Christie's auction sale label. On the base a rectangular paper collectors label that reads: 'Mr. H.A. Daendels 104 Amsterdam', three rectangular paper Christie's auction sale lot 'DC 743' labels and a red circular paper label with the number: '56.

In 1981 the Gemeentelijk Museum Het Princessehof - Leeuwarden organised an exhibition devoted to blue -and-white porcelains made in Japan during the 17th and 18th centuries for export to the Netherlands in particular. Barbara Harrisson asked Mr. H.A. Deandels, a Dutch collector of early blue-and-white porcelains from Japan, to organize the exhibition. A catalogue was ensured with the support of the Nederlandse Vereniging van Vrienden van de Ceramiek.

The vase was included in the 1981 exhibition and published in its complementary catalogue as cat. 56.

Reproduced from: H.A. Daendels, Catalogus tentoonstelling Japans blauw wit Porselein. Op Hollandse bestelling en in de Japanse smaak, exhibition catalogue Gemeentelijk Museum Het Princessehof, Leeuwarden 1981. Also Published as Mededelingenblad Nederlandse Vereniging van Vrienden van de Ceramiek, vols. 101/102, p.49, cat. 56.

After Mr Daendel's death the vase was, together with another Japanese vase, sold at Christie's Amsterdam in sale 2584, 20/21 May 2003, lot 437.

For similarly sized and shaped jars, please see:

Condition: A hairline to the rim.

References:

Lunsingh Scheurleer 1971, cat. 140

Daendels 1981, cat. 56

Oxford 1981, cat. 255

Kyushu 1990/1, cat. 349

Kyushu 1991, cat. 539 & 540

Kyushu 2001, cat. 429, 430 & 431

Price: € 2.999 - $ 2,895 - £ 2,348

(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)

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2011949

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Object 2011949

Jar

Japan

1670-1680

Height 252 mm (9.92 inch), diameter of mouthrim 113 mm (4.45 inch), diameter of footring 104 mm (4.09 inch), weight 2,346 grams (54.46 ounce (oz.))

Jar on footring, short neck with a wide slightly spreading mouthrim. The original cover is missing. Decorated in underglaze blue with flowering plants alternating with a bird in flight. On the shoulder a folded leaves pattern border. Around the neck a band of lappets.

Garnitures are sets of (usually) 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. Smaller garnitures were placed on a table, a comptoir (a small cabinet with drawers), or on the mantelshelf, but their most natural place was on the top of a porcelain cabinet. 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. 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. (Hartog 1990, p.130, cat 158), (Jörg 2003/1, pp.259-260)

For similarly sized and shaped jars, please see:

Condition: A chip to the rim.

References:

Lunsingh Scheurleer 1971, cat. 142

Daendels 1981, cat. 50

Oxford 1981, cat. 261

Kassel 1990, cat. 206a,b & 207

London 1997, cat. 21

Jörg 2003/1, pp.259-260

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

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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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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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2012376

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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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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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2010939

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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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