Rare large Japanese ovoid vase, 17th century, the slightly flared neck decorated with a band of lappets above two bands of scrolling plants, the body decorated with three large panels containing a tiger and bamboo, two deer amongst flowering plants with a mountainous landscape in the background, and peonies springing from rockwork, the panels separated by an intertwining floral and leaf decoration.
This vase was possible produced in Arita or the historical Hizen Province, located on the northwestern corner of Kyushu Island. The variable quality of the painting was due to the use of Gosu an impure cobalt which when used for painting in underglaze blue proved extremely volatile. Both the gosu (asbolite) imported from China and found locally contained impurities including high concentrations of manganese and iron which when fired made the blue appear muddy greyish colour and where the temperature was not properly controlled and the Gosu applied thickly the blue could appear burnt and in places blurred. This accounts for the variable quality of painting on this vase; two of the panels are extremely well painted in particular the panel containing the peonies issuing from rockwork, show the artist to be highly skilled. The decoration owes a great deal to Chinese porcelain. It was only later that Japanese potters developed their own designs.
Dimensions:
Height: 48 cm. (18 7/8in.)
Condition:
Good, apart from some surface scratches
