Antique Pair Japanese Meiiji Imari Porcelain Vases C1880

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Antique Pair Japanese Meiiji Imari Porcelain Vases C1880 anticSwiss 29/09/2021 17:25:52 http://www.anticswiss.com Antique Pair Japanese Meiiji Imari Porcelain Vases C1880 FOR SALE ANTIQUE DEALER Period: 19° secolo - 1800 Regent Antiques London Style: Altri stili +44 2088099605 447836294074 Height:61cm Width:26cm Depth:26cm Price:2250€ DETAILED DESCRIPTION: A monumental pair of Japanese Meiji period Imari porcelain vases, dating from the late 19th Century. Each vase features a bulbous shape with the traditional scalloped rim, over the body decorated with reserve panels depicting court garden scenes and smaller shaped panels with views of Mount Fuji on chrysanthemums and peonies background adorned with phoenixes. Each signed to the base with a three-character mark and on the top of each large panel with a two-character mark. Instill a certain elegance to a special place in your home with these fabulous vases. Condition: In excellent condition, with no chips, cracks or damage, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 61 x Width 26 x Depth 26 Dimensions in inches: Height 24.0 x Width 10.2 x Depth 10.2 Imari ware Imari ware is a Western term for a brightly-coloured style of Arita ware Japanese export porcelain made in the area of Arita, in the former Hizen Province, northwestern Ky?sh?. They were exported to Europe in large quantities, especially between the second half of the 17th century and the first half of the 18th century. 1 / 4 anticSwiss 29/09/2021 17:25:52 http://www.anticswiss.com Typically Imari ware is decorated in underglaze blue, with red, gold, black for outlines, and sometimes other colours, added in overglaze. In the most characteristic floral designs, most of the surface is coloured. The style was so successful that Chinese and European producers began to copy it. Sometimes the different overglaze styles of Kakiemon and Kutani ware are also grouped under Imari ware. The name derives from the port of Imari, Saga from which they were shipped to Nagasaki, where the Dutch East India Company and the Chinese had trading outposts. In the West the multi-coloured or "enamelled" wares became known as "Imari ware", and a different group kakiemon, while blue and white wares were called "Arita ware", in fact, the two types were often produced at the same kilns. Today, the use of "Imari" as a descriptor has declined, and they are often called Arita wares (or Hizen wares, after the old province). Imari ware was copied in both China and Europe and has been continuously produced to the present day. Early Imari (shoki imari) is a traditional and somewhat confusing term used for very different wares that were made around Arita before about 1650. The porcelains are generally small and sparsely painted in underglaze blue for the domestic market, but there are also some large green celadon dishes, apparently made for the southeast Asian market, in a porcellaneous stoneware. Arita's kilns were set up in the 17th century after kaolin was discovered in 1616. A popular legend attributes the discovery to an immigrant Korean potter, Yi Sam-pyeong (1579–1655), although most historians consider this doubtful. After the discovery, some kilns began to produce revised Korean-style blue and white porcelains, known as Early Imari, or "Shoki-Imari". In the mid-17th century, there were also many Chinese refugees in northern Kyushu due to the turmoil in China, and it is said that one of them brought the overglaze enamel colouring technique to Arita. Thus Shoki-Imari developed into Ko-Kutani, Imari, and later Kakiemon, which are sometimes taken as a wider group of Imari wares. Ko-Kutani was produced around 1650 for both export and domestic market. Kutani ware is characterized by vivid green, blue, purple, yellow and red colours in bold designs of landscapes and nature. Blue and white porcelain pieces continued to be produced and they are called Ai-Kutani. Ko-Kutani Imari for the export market usually adopted Chinese design structure such as Kraak style, whereas Ai-Kutani for the domestic market were highly unique in design and are accordingly valued very much among collectors. Ko-Kutani style evolved into Kakiemon-style Imari, which was produced for about 50 years around 1700. Kakiemon was characterized by crisp lines and bright blue, red and green designs of dramatically stylized floral and bird scenes. Imari achieved its technical and aesthetic peak in the Kakiemon style, and it dominated the European market. Blue and white Kakiemon is called Ai-Kakiemon. The Kakiemon style transformed into Kinrande in the 18th century, using underglaze blue and overglaze red and gold enamels, and later additional colours. Imari began to be exported to Europe when the Chinese kilns at Jingdezhen were damaged in the political chaos and the new Qing dynasty government halted trade in 2 / 4 anticSwiss 29/09/2021 17:25:52 http://www.anticswiss.com 1656–1684. Exports to Europe were made through the Dutch East India Company, and in Europe the designation "Imari porcelain" connotes Arita wares of mostly Kinrande Imari. Export of Imari to Europe stopped in the mid-18th century when China resumed export to Europe since Imari was not able to compete against Chinese products due to high labour costs. By that time, however, both Imari and Kakiemon styles were already so popular among Europeans that the Chinese export porcelain copied both, a type known as Chinese Imari. At the same time, European kilns, such as Meissen and English potteries such as Johnson Bros. and (Royal) Crown Derby, also imitated the Imari and Kakiemon styles. Export of Imari surged again in the late 19th century (Meiji era) when Japonism flourished in Europe. Thus in the western world today, two kinds of true Japanese Imari can be found: that exported in the mid-Edo period, and that exported in the Meiji era. From the viewpoint of collectors, these two types are completely different, though Kinrande appearances are similar. Our reference: 09131 https://www.anticswiss.com/en/fine-art-antiques/antique-pair-japanese-meiiji-imari-porcelain-vases-c1880-16197 3 / 4 anticSwiss 29/09/2021 17:25:52 http://www.anticswiss.com Gallery 4 / 4 Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org).
Recommended publications
  • 'A Mind to Copy': Inspired by Meissen
    ‘A Mind to Copy’: Inspired by Meissen Anton Gabszewicz Independent Ceramic Historian, London Figure 1. Sir Charles Hanbury Williams by John Giles Eccardt. 1746 (National Portrait Gallery, London.) 20 he association between Nicholas Sprimont, part owner of the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory, Sir Everard Fawkener, private sec- retary to William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, the second son of King George II, and Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, diplomat and Tsometime British Envoy to the Saxon Court at Dresden was one that had far-reaching effects on the development and history of the ceramic industry in England. The well-known and oft cited letter of 9th June 1751 from Han- bury Williams (fig. 1) to his friend Henry Fox at Holland House, Kensington, where his china was stored, sets the scene. Fawkener had asked Hanbury Williams ‘…to send over models for different Pieces from hence, in order to furnish the Undertakers with good designs... But I thought it better and cheaper for the manufacturers to give them leave to take away any of my china from Holland House, and to copy what they like.’ Thus allowing Fawkener ‘… and anybody He brings with him, to see my China & to take away such pieces as they have a mind to Copy.’ The result of this exchange of correspondence and Hanbury Williams’ generous offer led to an almost instant influx of Meissen designs at Chelsea, a tremendous impetus to the nascent porcelain industry that was to influ- ence the course of events across the industry in England. Just in taking a ca- sual look through the products of most English porcelain factories during Figure 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Ackland Ceramics Guide
    ! ! CERAMICS!GUIDE! Ceramics:"objects"formed"from"moistened"clay"and"hardened"by"firing;"distinguished"by" permeability"and"firing"temperatures" • Earthenware:"Porous,"low<firing" • Stoneware:"Non<porous,"high<firing" • Hard<Paste"Porcelain:"Non<porous,"high<firing" Single!firing:"clay"mixture"and"glaze"reach"maximum"density"and"hardness"in"a"single"firing,"with" the"glaze"being"applied"directly"to"the"unfired"clay"beforehand" Biscuit!firing:"glazed"objects"can"also"undergo"multiple"firings,"the"first"being"the"firing"of"the" unglazed"(biscuit)"object;"helps"stabilize"a"work"before"a"glaze"or"painted"decoration"is"applied" Glost!firing:"fuses"glaze"to"an"object"that"has"already"been"biscuit<fired" Glaze:!natural"materials"applied"to"a"clay"object"(either"as"a"powder"or"mixed"with"water)," fusing"with"the"clay"when"fired;"makes"porous"ceramics"impervious"to"liquid;"also"used"on"non< porous"ceramics"for"purely"decorative"effects,"either"as"transparent"coating"or"colored"by"the" addition"of"various"metal"oxides;"comprised"of"ground"silica,"which"melts"to"create"a"glassy" surface,"as"well"as"(1)"an"alumina"stabilizer"to"increase"viscosity"and"(2)"a"mineral"flux"to"lower" the"silica’s"melting"point." Common!glaze!types:"distinguished"by"flux"material" th • Lead:"low<firing,"used"on"earthenware;"largely"discontinued"by"the"late"19 "century"due" to"dangers"of"prolonged"lead"exposure" • Tin:"lead"glaze"with"the"addition"of"tin"oxide,"resulting"in"an"opaque"white"surface;" originates"in"Middle"East,"9th"century;"European"tin<glazed"earthenware"classified"by"
    [Show full text]
  • Color in Salt Glaze
    Portland State University PDXScholar Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses 8-1-1967 Color in salt glaze Daniel Lee Stevens Portland State University Follow this and additional works at: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Stevens, Daniel Lee, "Color in salt glaze" (1967). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 561. https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.561 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. Please contact us if we can make this document more accessible: [email protected]. AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Daniel Lee Stevens for the Master of Science in teaching in Cerami~s 'presented 0:0 August 7, 1967. Title: COLOR IN SALT GLAZE. , Abs tract approved: This thesis endeavors to bring a brief history of salt glaze to the reader, following i~s ge~esisin Germany to England and the American colonies and its continuation to the prese~t day. In order to conduct research on color in salt glaze~ a kiln had to be built for this purpose, meeting all the requirements 'that this tech- nique demands. Studies were ~ade on clay bodies to determine their throwing qualities as well as their ability to take a salt glaze. Finally, research was carried out 'in many serfes of tests studying the reactions of'various engobes and other coloring materials when ,fired in the salt glaze kiln. \ .' COLOR IN SALT GLAZE by Daniel Lee Stevens A THESIS submitted to .Portland State College, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Teaching August 1967 \ I PORTLAND STATE COL~EGE LIBRARY' .
    [Show full text]
  • Japan Ese Pottery Being a Native Report with an Introduction And
    S OUTH KENSINGTON MUSEUM ART HANDBOOK JAPANESE POTTERY J A PA N E S E POTT E RY BE IN G A N ATIV E REPORT WITH A N I NTROD U CTION A N D C ATA LOGU E w R N M A . P. A U GUS T US F A KS , . , S A . WITH I LLUSTRATI O N S AN D MARKS ” ’ ‘ ' P ublic/zed f or 1113 Commz z fee of Counc il on E duc alz on BY L . LOND ON : C HA PMA N A N D HA LL, D F . M . E V N S A N D c o . L I M IT E D C RYS T L P L CE A , , A A A , CON TEN TS . H isto ry Tec hnique S hapes and uses o f vases Dec o rati on Marks REPORT A N D CATA LOGU E A nc ient wares Karatsu ware Seto ware Xi- Seto ware Shin o ware Ge m pin ware Oribe ware S eto - Suke ware Seto - Kuro ware I nu- yam a ware Mi no ware Bizen ware vi jA P A N E S E P OTTE R Y. hi araki 0 0 S g ware 0 I ga ware Tamba ware Shito to ware Zeze A sahi ware Takatori ware Hagi ware Matsum o to ware idsum o ware Fujxna ware A kahada ware Minato ware Yanagawa ware T oyo - ura ware Raku ware Ohi ware H oraku ware [A sakusa] Raku ware [To kio] Raku ware [Osaka] Raku ware [Dfihac hi] Raku ware Fushimiware I mado ware Ki6to ( S aikiyo ) fac tories N inseiware A wata ware Kenz an ware Kiyom idz u ware Ye iraku ware O to ware N T T CO E N S .
    [Show full text]
  • 9. Ceramic Arts
    Profile No.: 38 NIC Code: 23933 CEREMIC ARTS 1. INTRODUCTION: Ceramic art is art made from ceramic materials, including clay. It may take forms including art ware, tile, figurines, sculpture, and tableware. Ceramic art is one of the arts, particularly the visual arts. Of these, it is one of the plastic arts. While some ceramics are considered fine art, some are considered to be decorative, industrial or applied art objects. Ceramics may also be considered artifacts in archaeology. Ceramic art can be made by one person or by a group of people. In a pottery or ceramic factory, a group of people design, manufacture and decorate the art ware. Products from a pottery are sometimes referred to as "art pottery".[1] In a one-person pottery studio, ceramists or potters produce studio pottery. Most traditional ceramic products were made from clay (or clay mixed with other materials), shaped and subjected to heat, and tableware and decorative ceramics are generally still made this way. In modern ceramic engineering usage, ceramics is the art and science of making objects from inorganic, non-metallic materials by the action of heat. It excludes glass and mosaic made from glass tesserae. There is a long history of ceramic art in almost all developed cultures, and often ceramic objects are all the artistic evidence left from vanished cultures. Elements of ceramic art, upon which different degrees of emphasis have been placed at different times, are the shape of the object, its decoration by painting, carving and other methods, and the glazing found on most ceramics. 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Antique Store Auction (417)
    09/29/21 04:57:26 Antique Store Auction (417) Auction Opens: Mon, Mar 29 8:00am PT Auction Closes: Wed, Apr 7 6:07pm PT Lot Title Lot Title 0100 LISA LAMONTHE Signed Native American 0129 Antique Wood Fishing Tackle Box Clay Sculpture Art 0130 Antique Crock Pot 0101 Vintage Clay Pottery Vase Hand Painted 0131 Star Wars Galactic Heroes Figurines collection 0102 Vintage McCoy Teapot with Lid NIB 0103 McCoy Pottery Canyon Bowl 0132 Southwest Artist Signed Pottery 0104 Beaded Iguana Pottery Art 0133 Vintage Poker Chips and Tray 0105 Vintage Asian Apothecary Box 0134 Vintage CARNIVAL GLASS Dishes 0106 Vintage Japanese Tanuki Racoon Dog Incense 0135 Vintage 1973 WALT DISNEY Spinning Top Burner Sculpture Toy 0107 Vintage Barney Rubble FLINSTONES Toy 0136 Vintage Tin Toy Ducks on Wheels, Japan 0108 Vintage Ceramic Majolica Cockatoo Pitcher 0137 Vintage Tin Toys 0109 Vintage Mickey Mouse WALT DISNEY 0138 Vintage Glazed Pottery Bowls Jewelry Music Box 0139 Vintage Cast Iron Dentist Bank 0110 Retro Mickey Mouse Radio Watch 0140 Vintage Signed L.D. Smith Bronze Coyote 0111 Japanese Geisha Ware Ceramic Pitcher Tea Desert Bookend Carafe 0141 Ceramic Jester Figurine 0112 Vintage VernonWare Carafe 0142 Vintage Golfer Bookends 0113 Vintage Depression Glass Compote and 0143 Two Vintage Wood Sewing Machine Drawers Condiment Dishes 0144 Vintage Wind Up Music Box Thorens 0114 Miniature Guatemalan Paper Mache Masks Movement 0115 Old School Snoopy Bank 0145 Vintage Glass Paper Weight Seal 0116 Mid Century Style Desk Clock 0146 Comey's Sherlock Holmes Ceramic
    [Show full text]
  • Philippa H Deeley Ltd Catalogue 17 Oct 2015
    Philippa H Deeley Ltd Catalogue 17 Oct 2015 1 A Pinxton porcelain teapot decorated in gilt with yellow cartouches with gilt decoration and hand hand painted landscapes of castle ruins within a painted botanical studies of pink roses, numbered square border, unmarked, pattern number 300, 3824 in gilt, and three other porcelain teacups and illustrated in Michael Bertould and Philip Miller's saucers from the same factory; Etruscan shape 'An Anthology of British Teapots', page 184, plate with serpent handle, hand painted with pink roses 1102, 17.5cm high x 26cm across - Part of a and gilt decoration, the saucer numbered 3785 in private owner collection £80.00 - £120.00 gilt, old English shape, decorated in cobalt blue 2 A Pinxton porcelain teacup and saucer, each with hand painted panels depicting birds with floral decorated with floral sprigs and hand painted gilt decoration and borders, numbered 4037 in gilt landscapes with in ornate gilt surround, unmarked, and second bell shape, decorated with a cobalt pattern no. 221, teacup 6cm high, saucer 14.7cm blue ground, gilt detail and hand painted diameter - Part of a private owner collection £30.00 landscape panels - Part of a private owner - £40.00 collection £20.00 - £30.00 3 A porcelain teapot and cream jug, possibly by 8A Three volumes by Michael Berthoud FRICS FSVA: Ridgway, with ornate gilding, cobalt blue body and 'H & R Daniel 1822-1846', 'A Copendium of British cartouches containing hand painted floral sparys, Teacups' and 'An Anthology of British Teapots' co 26cm long, 15cm high -
    [Show full text]
  • Ming Dynasty Porcelain Plate Laura G
    Wonders of Nature and Artifice Art and Art History Fall 2017 Blue-and-White Wonder: Ming Dynasty Porcelain Plate Laura G. Waters '19, Gettysburg College Follow this and additional works at: https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/wonders_exhibit Part of the Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Art and Architecture Commons, Fine Arts Commons, History of Science, Technology, and Medicine Commons, Industrial and Product Design Commons, and the Intellectual History Commons Share feedback about the accessibility of this item. Waters, Laura G., "Blue-and-White Wonder: Ming Dynasty Porcelain Plate" (2017). Wonders of Nature and Artifice. 12. https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/wonders_exhibit/12 This is the author's version of the work. This publication appears in Gettysburg College's institutional repository by permission of the copyright owner for personal use, not for redistribution. Cupola permanent link: https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/wonders_exhibit/12 This open access student research paper is brought to you by The uC pola: Scholarship at Gettysburg College. It has been accepted for inclusion by an authorized administrator of The uC pola. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Blue-and-White Wonder: Ming Dynasty Porcelain Plate Abstract This authentic Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) plate is a prime example of early export porcelain, a luminous substance that enthralled European collectors. The eg nerous gift of oJ yce P. Bishop in honor of her daughter, Kimberly Bishop Connors, Ming Dynasty Blue-and-White Plate is on loan from the Reeves Collection at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. The lp ate itself is approximately 7.75 inches (20 cm) in diameter, and appears much deeper from the bottom than it does from the top.
    [Show full text]
  • The Future of Derby Museums Service a Review of Alternative
    Ab Derby City Council The Future of Derby Museums Service A Review of Alternative Governance Models August 2011 CONTENTS 1. PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW ..................................................................................................1 2. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE REVIEW ....................................................2 3. APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................5 4. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................................................................7 5. POLICY BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................13 6. LOCAL AUTHORITY MUSEUMS IN THE NATIONAL CONTEXT .......................................17 7. OVERVIEW OF DERBY MUSEUMS SERVICE ....................................................................22 Deleted: 30 8. ALTERNATIVE GOVERNANCE MODELS...........................................................................24 Deleted: 40 9. FEEDBACK FROM KEY STAKEHOLDERS.........................................................................24 Deleted: 45 10. EVALUATION OF GOVERNANCE MODELS.......................................................................24 Deleted: 46 11. FINANCIAL OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................24 Deleted: 50 12. THE NDPO GOVERNANCE MODEL....................................................................................24 Deleted: 59
    [Show full text]
  • Vocabulary: Koryo Open Work Design Celadon Glaze Korean Celadon: Cheong-Ja Buddhism Leatherhard Clay Sanggam: Inlaid Design Symbols
    Lesson Title: Koryo (12-13th Century) Celadon Pottery and Korean Aesthetics Class and Grade level(s): High School and/or Junior High Art Goals and Objectives: The student will be able to: *identify Korean Koryo Celadon pottery as an original Korean Art form. *understand that the Korean aesthetic is rooted in nature. *utilize design elements of Koryo pottery in their own ceramic projects. Vocabulary: Koryo Open work design Celadon Glaze Korean Celadon: Cheong-ja Buddhism Leatherhard clay Sanggam: Inlaid Design Symbols 12th century Unidentified, Korean, Koryo period Stoneware bowl with celadon glaze. This undecorated ceramic bowl with incurving rim replicates the form of metal alms bowls carried by Buddhist monks for receiving food offerings from devotees. The ceramic version was probably used for the same purpose and would have been a gift to a monastery from a noble patron. Primary source bibliography: Freer collection celadon images: http://www.asia.si.edu/collections/korean_highlights.asp News: Koryo Pottery Was Headed for Kaesong http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2007/10/12/2007101261013.html History http://search.freefind.com/find.html?id=70726870&pageid=r&mode=all&n=0& query=korea+history Korean History and Art Sites http://search.freefind.com/find.html?oq=korea+art&id=70726870&pageid=r&_c harset_=UTF- 8&bcd=%C3%B7&scs=1&query=korea+art&Find=Search&mode=ALL&searc h=all Other resources used: A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park; Scholastic Inc., copyright 2001 http://www.lindasuepark.com/books/singleshard/singleshard.html Required materials/supplies: Clay studio tools, White clay, Celadon glaze, White and black slip Procedure: Introduction: Korean Koryo Celadon (Cheong-ja) Ceramics Korean pottery dates back to the Neolithic age.
    [Show full text]
  • (B. 1948) Kamada Kōji Is Known for His Mastery of the Difficult Tenmoku
    KAMADA KŌJI (b. 1948) Kamada Kōji is known for his mastery of the difficult tenmoku (rabbit’s hair) glaze, a technique that originated in 10th century Song Dynasty China and entered Japan during the Muromachi period two centuries later. Kamada has revitalized the technique by applying the traditional glaze to his modernized, but still functional, teaware that challenge the concepts of balance and presence. His works serve as an updated canvas for these established glaze techniques, allowing form and glaze to beautifully complement one another. 1948 Born in Kyoto 1968 Trained in Gojōzaka with Shimizu Tadashi 1971 Graduated from Kyoto Ceramics Training School, became an instructor Began his study of tenmoku glazes 1973 Entered the 2nd Japan Craft Association, Kinki District 1976 Became an official member of the Japan Craft Society 1977 Resigned as instructor for the Kyoto prefectural government and began concentrating exclusively on creating ceramics 1982 With the closing of the public Gojōzaka kiln, he acquired his own gas kiln 1988 Studied under National Living Treasure, Shimizu Uichi 1990 Became an official member of Japan Sencha (Tea) Craft Association 2000 Juror for Nihon dentō kogeiten (Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition) Awards: 1987 Kyoto Board of Education Chairperson's Award, the 16th Japan Craft Association Exhibition Kinki District Selected Solo Exhibitions: 1978 Osaka Central Gallery (also '79 and '80) 1980 Takashimaya Art Gallery, Kyoto (eight more shows through ‘03, then ‘13) 1984 Takashimaya Art Gallery, Nihonbashi, Tokyo
    [Show full text]
  • 1 the Willow Pattern
    The East India Company at Home, 1757-1857 – UCL History The Willow Pattern: Dunham Massey By Francesca D’Antonio Please note that this case study was first published on blogs.ucl.ac.uk/eicah in June 2014. For citation advice, visit: http://blogs.uc.ac.uk/eicah/usingthewebsite. Unlike other ‘objects studies’ featured in the East India Company At Home 1757-1857 project, this case study will focus on a specific ceramic ware pattern rather than a particular item associated with the East India Company (EIC). With particular attention to the contents of Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester, I focus here on the Willow Pattern, a type of blue and white ‘Chinese style’ design, which was created in 1790 at the Caughley Factory in Shropshire. The large-scale production of ceramic wares featuring the same design became possible only in the late eighteenth century after John Sadler and Guy Green patented their method of transfer printing for commercial use in 1756. Willow Pattern wares became increasingly popular in the early nineteenth century, allowing large groups of people access to this design. Despite imitating Chinese wares so that they recalled Chinese hard-stone porcelain body and cobalt blue decorations, these wares remained distinct from them, often attracting lower values and esteem. Although unfashionable now, they should not be merely dismissed as poor imitations by contemporary scholars, but rather need to be recognized for their complexities. To explore and reveal the contradictions and intricacies held within Willow Pattern wares, this case study asks two simple questions. First, what did Willow Pattern wares mean in nineteenth-century Britain? Second, did EIC families—who, as a group, enjoyed privileged access to Chinese porcelain—engage with these imitative wares and if so, how, why and what might their interactions reveal about the household objects? As other scholars have shown, EIC officials’ cultural understandings of China often developed from engagements with the materials they imported, as well as discussions of and visits to China.
    [Show full text]