Past Exhibitions | Exhibitions |The Museum of Oriental Ceramics,Osaka

The Enchanting Chinese Ceramics from the ISE Collection

Saturday, September 23, 2017～Sunday, December 3, 2017

　Mr. ISE Hikonobu is one of the art collectors gaining worldwide attention and some of the works from his collection have already been shown to the public in the past. We are grateful to have an opportunity to show the Ise Collection particularly focusing on Chinese ceramics, which are the quintessence of Mr. Ise’s collection. The exhibition is going to be held in two countries, beginning at the Guimet Museum of Asian Art in Paris, France and traveling to The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, Japan.
　In the Guimet Museum, the Ise Collection’s Chinese ceramics are introduced as “carefully selected artworks that meet the aesthetic sense of the Japanese people”. The Japanese have two kinds of aesthetic sensibilities: the traditional sensibility in which they highly value artworks from China, calling them karamono or “Chinese objects”, and also appreciate their functional beauty as they were used in tea ceremonies; and the modern perception of beauty in which they simply appreciate ceramics as works of art. In addition to these artistic senses, Mr. Ise’s deep knowledge and understanding on Chinese culture add luster to his valuable collection.
　The 74 works displayed at the exhibition “Porcelain, chefs-d’œuvre de la collection Ise”, began on June 21st in the Guimet Museum, will return to Japan and also be on view at this exhibition to be held in Osaka. Adding several more works to a total of 88 works, including 2 works designated as Important Cultural Property in Japan, this Osaka exhibition introduces the Chinese ceramics covering from the Warring States period to the Qing dynasty, demonstrating the discerning eyes of the collector.

Information

Title
　The Enchanting Chinese Ceramics from the ISE Collection
Dates
Saturday, September 23, 2017～Sunday, December 3, 2017
Closed days
Mondays(open on October 9), October 10
Venue
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka 　Gallery D and E
Opening hours
9:30 am – 5:00 pm (last admission: 4:30 pm)
Organized by
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, The Asahi Shimbun
Support by
Department of Foreign Affairs
Sponsored by
Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance, Inc.,
Cooperated by
Japan Air Line, Total Corporate Foundation
Special Cooperated by
ISE Foundation
Admission
Adults 900(700)yen, university and high school students 550(450)yen
a.Prices in parenthesis are group discount rates for a party of 20 or more
b.The following visitors are free of charge:
①Holders of special IDs such as Shogaisha techo (Identification Booklet for the Physically Disabled), including one attendant
②Residents of Osaka City aged 65 or older (please show ID)
③Junior high school students and younger children
*Admission ticket for the featured exhibition grants entry to all exhibitions in the museum.
Number of items on display
88 works
Also showing
[Permanent Exhibition]
Chinese Ceramics of the Ataka Collection , Korean Ceramics of the Ataka Collection and
the Rhee Byung-Chang Collection
Japanese Ceramics
Chinese Snuff Bottles of the Oki Shoichiro Collection
Ceramic Works by Jun KANEKO
Inquiries
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka
Phone: 06-6223-0055
Fax : 06-6223-0057

Examples of Objects on Display

Meiping Vase
Stoneware with black glaze, sgraffito decoration of peony scroll
Cizhou ware
Northern Song dynasty,11th-12th century
Height: 30.9cm, diameter: 20.2cm

The peony scroll decoration was made using the sgraffito technique, in which the body was first covered with black glaze onto which the motif was incised, and the glaze surrounding the motif was scratched off. The exposed background was then filled with white slip, making the peony motif stand out clearly. It demonstrates the meticulous execution by the potter. The beautiful black-and-white contrast like this piece is one of the characteristics of Cizhou ware, the kilns of which were centered in Guantaizhen, Ci County, Hebei Province.
GOURD-SHAPED BOTTLE
Porcelain with overglaze enamel and gilt (kinrande ) decoration
Important Cultural Property
Jingdezhen ware
Ming dynasty, 16th century
Height: 55.0cm, diameter: 25.0cm

During the Jiajing period (1522-1566) of the Ming dynasty, the private kilns in Jingdezhen were extensively producing porcelain with overglaze polychrome enamel and gilt decoration known as kinrande, which were particularly favored by Japanese tea masters. As a result, there are many extant kinrande works of excellent quality in Japan. This piece is one of the largest examples of gourd-shaped bottles having decorative panels, three on the upper section and four on the lower. The latter panels contain pairs of deer, crane, peacock and pheasant, making this piece particularly fine and gorgeous.
COVERED JAR
Porcelain with scroll decoration in underglaze blue and overglaze polychrome enamel
Important Art Object
Jingdezhen ware
Ming dynasty, 1623
Height: 19.6cm, diameter: 20.7cm

Wucai, a decorative technique combining underglaze blue and overglaze enamel of various colors such as red, green and yellow, was adopted extensively in the Jiajing (1522-1566) and Wanli (1573-1620) periods. The inscription in underglaze blue on the base which can be translated “Made by Tang Clan in the third year of Tianqi” indicates that this work was produced at a private kiln in Jingdezhen in 1623, the third year of the Tianqi era (1621-1627). The six flowers in the center of the body are depicted in underglaze blue and overglaze red while the scroll surrounding them is drawn in underglaze blue, accented with green and red. The colorful decoration as well as the ample body enhances the gorgeous appearance of the jar.

The Enchanting Chinese Ceramics from the ISE Collection

Information

Examples of Objects on Display

Meiping Vase

GOURD-SHAPED BOTTLE

COVERED JAR