Bottle

About 1660-1680

Japan, Saga Prefecture

Porcelain painted with overglaze enamels (Arita ware)

H. 17 x Diam. 10 in. (43.2 x 25.4 cm)

Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.244

Provenance

John D. Rockefeller 3rd, New York, NY; acquired from K.J. Hewett, London, England, 1965.

The Asia Society, New York, NY, bequest of John D. Rockefeller 3rd, New York, NY, 1979.

Licensing inquiries

On the bulbous part of the bottle is a branch of camellia flowers that encircles the body. This central pictorial space is framed by the leaf-patterned band above and the thinner, plain band below. This jar is a typical example of enameled Imari ware, and it is distinguished from Kakiemon-style enameled porcelain which is also produced in the same town, Arita, by the thicker potting, the denser composition, and the deeper tones of colors, especially the brownish red. Enameled porcelain was more expensive, and therefore more exclusive, than porcelain with only cobalt blue decoration.