Japanese Porcelain
Japanese Imari 1690-1800
'Gold' Imari
Page 1
A group that seems to have been especially favoured in The Netherlands, traditionally called 'Gold Imari', dates to the early 18th century. These wares are painted in gold only, in gold and iron-red, or in gold and red with a few touches of green, aubergine and black. 'Gold Imari' is relatively well represented in collections in the northern parts of The Netherlands but which occurs less often in old English and German collections
From about 1700 the gold often has a pink-violet hue ('pink lustre'), which is clearly visible on the white porcelain background when the gold is very thin or has been rubbed off. It seems that the Japanese enamellers used a different process to the Chinese, because Chinese pieces do not have this pink violet hue. (Jörg 2003/1, pp.92-93)
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - 'Gold' Imari - Page 1
Objects 2011820AF
Six dishes
Japan
1700-1720
2011820A Height 33 mm (1.29 inch), diameter of rim 212 mm (8.35 inch), diameter of footring 108 mm (4.25 inch), weight 353 grams (13.09 ounce (oz.)), three spur-marks to the base.
2011820B Height 34 mm (1.34 inch), diameter of rim 215 mm (8.46 inch), diameter of footring 107 mm (4.21 inch), weight 380 grams (13.09 ounce (oz.)), two spur-marks to the base.
2011820C Height 38 mm (1.50 inch), diameter of rim 213 mm (8.39 inch), diameter of footring 106 mm (4.17 inch), weight 378 grams (13.09 ounce (oz.)), three spur-marks to the base.
2011820D Height 35 mm (1.38 inch), diameter of rim 212 mm (8.35 inch), diameter of footring 107 mm (4.21 inch), weight 367 grams (13.09 ounce (oz.)), two spur-marks to the base.
2011820E Height 37 mm (1.46 inch), diameter of rim 211 mm (8.31 inch), diameter of footring 104 mm (4.09 inch), weight 385 grams (13.09 ounce (oz.)), three spur-marks to the base.
2011820F Height 36 mm (1.42 inch), diameter of rim 211 mm (8.31 inch), diameter of footring 102 mm (4.02 inch), weight 338 grams (13.09 ounce (oz.)), three spur-marks to the base.
Six dishes on footrings, spreading flat rims. 'Gold' Imari, decorated in gold, iron-red and a light-pinkish gold wash with a spray of blossoming pomegranate in a central roundel surrounded by grasses and three groups of flowering plants each with a pair of birds, namely millet and quail, carnation and crested grouse, double camellia and partridge. In between each group a bird in flight. The rim with interlacing sprays of double peony, double magnolia, and double camellia. The reverses are undecorated.
These type of dishes are magnificent examples of the 'gold' Imari group. No underglaze blue or other enamels are used, the light pinkish wash lending sufficient contrast to the brighter red and gold. This dish was once part of an extensive dinner set, now separated. In the collection of Oriental Ceramics of the Groninger Museum is an identically decorated tea-set that consists of an identical teapot / hot water pot, six cups and saucers for tea or coffee, six chocolate cups with covers and saucers, a bowl with an overturned rim that might have been a sugar bowl and a ewer which may have been used as a milk jug but could also have been a condiment jug in a dinner set with the same design of which parts are also in the Groninger Museum. The set entered the Groninger Museum in 1899 as a bequest of the local collector, Mr. Mello Backer. Some sherds of similar wares have been excavated at Deshima. (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, p.213), (Jörg 2003/1, p.201)
For identically decorated dishes, please see;
- The Voyage of Old-Imari Porcelains, (Kyushu Ceramic Museum, Arita 2000)
- Fine & Curious: Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections, (C.J.A. Jörg, Hotei Publishing, Amsterdam 2003), pp.115-116, cat. 123.
- Melk en Bloed. Exquisite porcelain from the Middle Kingdom, (D. Suebsman, Norden 2019), p.114, cat. 53.
For the identically decorated tea-set in the collection of Oriental ceramics of the Groninger Museum, please see:
For a similarly decorated dish, please see;
For other 'Gold' Imari objects decorated with this specific design, please sse:
- Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese 'Gold' Imari 1690-1800 - Object 2011745 and Object 2011746.
- Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese 'Gold' Imari 1690-1800 - Object 2011444.
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Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese 'Gold' Imari 1690-1800 - Object 2010574.
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Sold Ceramics - Sold Japanese 'Gold' Imari 1690-1800 - Object 2010673.
Conditions:
2011820A: Perfect.
2011820B: A firing flaw.
2011820C: Three firing flaws.
2011820D: Two firing flaws and a popped bubble of glaze, caused by the firing process, to the rim.
2011820E: Perfect.
2011820F: Some wear to the decoration.
References:
Jörg & Van Campen 1997, cat. 237
Jörg 2003/1, cat. 123, 124 & 256
Price: € 2.999 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - 'Gold' Imari - Page 1
Object 2011895
Bowl with cover and dish
Japan
1700-1730
Dish: height 35 mm (1.38 inch), diameter of rim 215 mm (8.46 inch), diameter of footring 112 mm (4.41 inch), weight 434 grams (15.31 ounce (oz.))
Bowl (without cover): height 70 mm (2.76 inch), diameter of rim 160 mm (6.30 inch), diameter of footring 66 mm (2.59 inch), weight 316 grams (11.15 ounce (oz.))
Cover: height 38 mm (1.50 inch), diameter of rim 134 mm (5.27 inch), diameter of ring 50 mm (1.97 inch), weight 161 grams (11.15 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring, steep sides, slightly everted lobed rim. Dish on footring, everted lobed rim, three spur-marks in a V-pattern on the base, the cover with ring and lobed rim. 'Gold' Imari, decorated in gold, iron-red and a light pinkish goldwash. The dish with a flowering peony in the centre. On the sides three flower sprays, on the rim hosoge-type flowers alternating with flower motifs. On the footing of the bowl and the ring of the cover a marubatsu pattern (modern Japanese for "naughts and crosses" or "Os and Xs")¹ The reverse is undecorated. The bowl and cover are decorated en suite.
This bowl, cover and dish are magnificent examples of the 'gold' Imari group. No underglaze blue or other enamels are used, the light pinkish wash lending sufficient contrast to the brighter red and gold.
The hosoge floral motif ('flower of precious appearance') has Silk Road precursors and a long tradition in Japanese decorative art. It is an imaginary flower with elements of peony, pomegranate and lotus. (Jörg 2003/1, p.117, cat.125)
For a similarly shaped and decorated bowl with cover and dish, please see:
- Fine & Curious. Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections, (C.J.A. Jörg, Hotei Publishing, Amsterdam, 2003), p.117, cat. 125.
For a more elaborate shaped but similarly in 'Gold' imari decorated bowl with cover and dish, please see:
Condition: Some wear to the central gilding of the bowl and dish and three (glazed) firing flaws to the footring of the bowl.
References:
Price: € 999 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - 'Gold' Imari - Page 1
Object 2012034
Teapot or hot water pot
Japan
1700-1720
Height with cover 175 mm (6.89 inch), diameter handle to spout 258 mm (10.16 inch), diameter of mouthrim 79 mm (3.11 inch), diameter of footring 88 mm (3.46 inch), weight with cover 1,075 grams (37.92 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 105 grams (3.70 ounce (oz.)
Teapot or hot water pot on footring, curved handle and a straight spout. Domed lid with round knob. 'Gold' Imari, decorated in gold, iron-red and a pink-gold wash with three groups of flowering plants, each with a pair of birds, namely millet and quail, carnation and crested grouse and double camellia with partridge. Between each group a bird in flight. On the handle a floret between scrolls, on the cover three groups of flowering plants with three birds in flight.
In the collection of Oriental Ceramics of the Groninger Museum is a identically decorated teaset that consists of an identical teapot / hot water pot, six cups and saucers for tea or coffee, six chocolate cups with covers and saucers, a bowl with an overturned rim that might have been a sugar bowl and a ewer which may have been used as a milk jug but could also have been a condiment jug in a dinner set with the same design of which parts are also in the Groninger Museum. The set entered the Groninger Museum in 1899 as a bequest of the local collector, Mr. Mello Backer. Some sherds of similar wares have been excavated at Deshima. (Jörg 2003/1, p.201)
For an identically shaped, sized and decorated sold teapot / hot water pot, please see:
For the identically decorated teaset (including the large teapot / hot water pot) in the collection of Oriental ceramics of the Groninger Museum, please see:
Condition: Wear to the golden decoration and a professionally restored cover.
References:
Jörg & Van Campen 1997, cat. 237
Price: € 1.999 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - 'Gold' Imari - Page 1
Object 2011581
Teacup and saucer
Japan
1700-1720
Height of teacup 39 mm (1.53 inch), diameter of rim 65 mm (2.56 inch), diameter of footring 26 mm (1.02 inch), weight 42 grams (1.48 ounce (oz.))
Height of saucer 22 mm (0.87 inch), diameter of rim 115 mm (4.53 inch), diameter of footring 48 mm or (1.89 inch), weight 87 grams (3.07 ounce (oz.))
Teacup and saucer on footrings, slightly everted rims. 'Gold' Imari, decorated in gold, iron-red and a light-pinkish gold wash with rockwork, bamboo, flowering plants and a phoenix in flight. The teacup is decorated en suite.
In category 36 'Coloured Imari with no underglaze blue, iron-red and gold only' of his Japanese export porcelain, Impey states that the implication of this singular restriction of palette, without the use of underglaze blue, is that these may be the product of a single enamelling workshop, but may or may not be the product of a single kiln. The restriction is probably one of choice, for it would hardly be cheaper, if at all, to use a wider range of enamels, and no cheaper to use underglaze blue. (Impey 2002, pp.220-221)
Condition:
Teacup: Two fleabites and a frit to the rim.
Saucer: A frit to the rim and some wear to the golden decoration.
Reference:
Price: € 149 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - 'Gold' Imari - Page 1
Object 2011795
Dish
Japan
1710-1730
Height 33 mm (1.30 inch), diameter of rim 215 mm (8.46 inch), diameter of footring 125 mm (4.92 inch), weight 455 grams (16.05 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, straight rim. On the base five spur-marks in a X-pattern. 'Gold' Imari, decorated in gold, iron-red and a light pinkish gold wash with various flowering plants in a central roundel. On the sides three groups of flower sprays. The reverse with three flower sprays.
Condition: Some wear to the decoration.
Price: € 199 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - 'Gold' Imari - Page 1
Object 2011740
Teacup and saucer
Japan
1700-1730
Height of tea/coffee cup 26 mm (1.02 inch), diameter of rim 46 mm (1.81 inch), diameter of footring 21 mm (0.83 inch), weight 15 grams (0.53 ounce (oz.))
Height of saucer 16 mm (0.63 inch), diameter of rim 75 mm (2.95 inch), diameter of footring 44 mm or (1.73 inch), weight 20 grams (0.71 ounce (oz.))
Teacup and saucer on footrings, slightly everted rims. 'Gold' Imari, decorated in gold, iron-red and a light-pinkish gold wash with a central flower spray round the rim a silk-worm and stripes pattern border. The reverse is undecorated. The teacup is decorated en suite.
Miniature porcelain was used to decorate a room or mantelshelf as part of a porcelain ensemble, or was intended to be put into a porcelain cabinet. Japanese miniature red and gold Imari pieces can also be found as part of doll’s houses, which showed representations of actual rooms. Pardue states that seventeenth-century Dutch and eighteenth-century British parents wanted their children to prosper and be refined members of polite society. The tea wares and other miniature ceramics, may have been used by or casual play by the young or curiosities for adult amusement, but when viewed through the lens of material culture, they also served as a means through which parents taught their children to succeed in an adult world and carry themselves with proper refinement in polite society. Finally, it has also been suggested that these small sized teacups and saucers were used for the tasting and testing of various sorts of precious tea at a shop. (Jörg 2003/1, p.205 cat. 264), (Pardue 2008, XX)
Condition:
Teacup: Three tiny and shallow chips and a frit to the rim.
Saucer: Perfect.
References
Price: € 199 Currency Converter
Japanese Imari 1690-1800 - 'Gold' Imari - Page 1
Object 2011449
Saucer
Japan
1700-1730
Height 20 mm (0.79 inch), diameter of rim 110 mm (4.33 inch), diameter of footring 56 mm or (2.20 inch), weight 70 grams (2.47 ounce (oz.))
Saucer on footring, slightly flaring rim. 'Gold' Imari, decorated in gold, iron-red and a light-pinkish gold wash with four groups of flowering plants growing from stylised rockwork and two exotic birds with long tail feathers pheasants in flight. The reverse is undecorated.
The exotic birds depicted are most likely two hôô birds or two Japanese pheasants (Phasianus versicolor). The hôô is a mythical bird originating from China, a composite creature, whose composing elements vary, although in Japan it remains essentially a mixture between a cockerel, a pheasant and a bird of paradise. Japanese pheasants (Phasianus versicolor) are, given their different heads, presumably supposed to be a pair, but in fact only the male has an elaborate tail that can be spread out like a fan. (Fitski 2011, pp.158-159)
Condition: Perfect.
Reference:
Price: € 99 Currency Converter
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