Imari vase in the shape of a double gourd, with overall design of chrysanthemums
Japanese
Description
This colorfully decorated gourd shape vase is an example of Imari ware, a type of porcelain made in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries for export to Europe. Lavish and intricate designs were made possible by firing each piece three times at successively lower temperatures: once with the cobalt blue painting and a clear glaze, a second time to fix the overglaze enamels, and a third time to fix the gilding. The principal motif here is of course the dazzling overall pattern of chrysanthemums, but the artist includes plum blossoms and peonies, and auspicious birds as well.
Maribeth Graybill
“Four Seasons In Japanese Art”: Special Installation of Japanese Gallery at UMMA: Object Labels
July 5, 2003-January 4, 2004
summer 2010
---
Double gourd vase
Japan, Edo period
(1615–1868)
circa 1820–50
Porcelain, blue underglaze, and enamel overglaze
Gift of the William T. and Dora G. Hunter Collection, 2002/2.11
This colorfully decorated, gourd shape vase is an example of Imari ware, a type of porcelain made in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries for export to Europe. Lavish and intricate designs were made possible by firing each piece three times at successively lower temperatures: once with the cobalt blue painting and a clear glaze, a second time to fix the overglaze enamels, and a third time to fix the gilding. The principal motif here is the dazzling overall pattern of chrysanthemums, but the artist includes plum blossoms, peonies, and auspicious birds as well.
(6/28/10)
Subject Matter:
This colorfully decorated gourd shape vase is an example of Imari ware, a type of porcelain made in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries for export to Europe. Lavish and intricate designs were made possible by firing each piece three times at successively lower temperatures: once with the cobalt blue painting and a clear glaze, a second time to fix the overglaze enamels, and a third time to fix the gilding.
Physical Description:
This vase takes the shape of a double gourd, with a large pear-shaped bottom topped by a smaller oval shape. The vase is decorated with overgalze enamels, primarily with an overall pattern of chrysanthemums. The design is also interspersed with plum blossoms, peonies, and auspicious birds.
Usage Rights:
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.