Examples of Objects on Display

• 

  SET OF A LARGE JAR AND PAIRED LARGE TRUMPET-MOUTHED VASES

  Blue-and-white with applied takamaki-e (raide laquer sprinkled with gold powder) decoration of peoni

  Edo period, 1700 – 1740s, Arita ware
  h. 87.4cm, d. 43.0cm
  h. 59.8cm, d. 29.5cm(each)
  The Kyushu Ceramic Museum

  The covered jar with a height of over 80 centimeters is one of the largest works of the eighteenth century. Conservations made in the past reveal that the takamaki-e decoration was fired unglazed. The surface is covered with a decoration of lions and peonies, symbols of wealth and fame, in two different techniques: underglaze blue and takamaki-e, delivering an atmosphere of magnificent splendor. The lion –shaped knob of the lid of the large jar is made out of wood and, according to a recent study, the lacquer decoration is thought to have been applied in Nagasaki.

• 

  LARGE JAR

  Porcelain with dragon and tiger design in overglaze polychrome enamels

  Edo period, 1700 – 1740s, Arita ware
  h. 91.0cm, d. 41.6cm
  The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka
  Photographed by KAZUYOSHI MIYOSHI

  This large jar with a lid is also known as a chen xiang hu (agarwood jar) for agarwood, a type of fragrant wood, is thought to have been kept in this jar. On a pedestal-shaped knob a screaming hawk is standing with dignity and compelling grace. The peony scroll background on the body and lid was executed in underglaze blue and gilt, onto which fan-shaped panels with overglaze black borders encircle vigorous tigers or dragons. The shoulder bears ribbons tied into ornamental knots, with stylized butterflies depicted in the center. The black enamel effectively creates a well-balanced contrast of colors. The black enamel ground seems to have been inspired by the popularity of black lacquer ware among the Europeans at that time. There are actual examples of export Imari ware with application of lacquer.

• 

  DISH

  Porcelain with centaurs design in overglaze polychrome enamels

  Edo period, 1700 – 1730s, Arita ware
  h. 4.6cm, d. 25.6cm
  The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka
  Photographed by KAZUYOSHI MIYOSHI

  This dish, a commission from Holland, has a depiction of three centaurs, the mythological creature appear in Greek mythology, with the upper-half body of a human and lower-half of a horse. Centaur is known for its vulgar and violent character, being naked with untidy hair and its body also covered with hair. The scene on this plate seems to be the two centaurs on the left and center fighting with a whip and club while the one on the right is attempting to stop them. The flattened rim bears a decoration of animals such as dogs, a horse, a boar and tigers amid flower scrolls. The decoration can be characterized by the elaborate drawing in overglaze red enamel and gilt is observed in various parts.