Cabinet L: Shelf 3
Blue-and-White Porcelain and Stoneware
Blue-and-white ware is named for a cobalt blue pigment used in its decoration. The pure white body provided by porcelain serves as a brilliant contrast for varying shades of striking cobalt blue paint, which is applied directly on the body; when fired, the vitrified surface looks as if it has been coated with a clear glaze. This technique was first developed at the Jingdezhen kilns in southeast China in the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368), when trade routes with western Asia were active and cobalt could be imported from Persia, although indigenous sources were later discovered. Jingdezhen has continued to dominate the production of Chinese blue-and-white ware down to modern times. These beautiful wares were later replicated in other Asian and European ceramics.
Much of the earliest Chinese blue-and-white pottery has been found outside the country with decoration that suggests it catered to foreign rather than domestic tastes, supporting the theory that it was at first created primarily for export. Making its way to Southeast Asia in the fourteenth century, blue-and-white ware informed Vietnamese pottery traditions. It became popular in Japan during the seventeenth century, when Arita porcelain factories located on the Southern island of Kyûshû produced much of these wares. Like in China, many Japanese porcelains were made for export to Western markets through the Dutch East India Company. Later, as domestic demand increased, designs drew more heavily on Japanese themes and tradition. Chinese blue-and-white ware has also informed Thai (Sawankhalok) and Dutch Delft ceramic traditions.
Chinese
Bowl
glaze and underglaze on porcelain
3 1/16 in x 4 15/16 in x 4 15/16 in (7.78 cm x 12.54 cm x 12.54 cm)
Museum purchase made possible by the Augusta Plumer Weiss Memorial Fund
Chinese
Blue-and-white tea cup with abstract floral design (1 of 5)
porcellaneous stoneware with blue and white glaze
1 7/8 in. x 3 5/8 in. x 3 5/8 in. ( 4.8 cm x 9.2 cm x 9.2 cm )
Bequest of Margaret Watson Parker
Chinese
Blue-an-white cargo bowl "Batavian" with abstract landscape design and "cafe au lait" exterior
porcelain with blue underglaze painting
2 3/4 in. x 5 7/8 in. ( 7 cm x 15 cm )
Gift of the William T. and Dora G. Hunter Collection
Chinese
Lamp Stand in the shape of a teapot with floral designs
porcelain with blue underglaze painting
6 1/2 in. x 5 1/4 in. x 4 5/16 in. ( 16.5 cm x 13.3 cm x 11 cm )
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund
Korean
Blue-and-White Jar with Bamboo Design
porcelain with blue underglaze painting
3 15/16 x 4 3/4 x 4 3/4 in. (10 x 12 x 12 cm)
Gift of Bruce and Inta Hasenkamp and Museum purchase made possible by Elder and Mrs. Sang-Yong Nam
Tomimoto Kenkichi
Plate with painted design of a covered jar, 'Fragrant Orchid'
Porcelain with blue underglaze painting and iron glaze
11/16 in. x 6 5/16 in. ( 1.8 cm x 16 cm )
Gift in memory of Harold Philip Stern
Japanese
Arita ware shallow dish with landscape scene of fishing boats by a willow tree
porcelain with blue underglaze painting
1 3/16 in. x 5 3/4 in. x 5 3/4 in. ( 3 cm x 14.6 cm x 14.6 cm )
Gift of Toshiko Ogita in memory of Tomoo Ogita
Korean
Blue-and-white Ritual Dish with Inscription "Je (祭)"
porcelain with blue underglaze painting
2 1/2 x 6 3/4 x 6 3/4 in. (6.3 x 17 x 17 cm)
Gift of Bruce and Inta Hasenkamp and Museum purchase made possible by Elder and Mrs. Sang-Yong Nam
Japanese
Plate
porcelain with blue underglaze painting
1 3/4 in. x 9 7/16 in. x 9 7/16 in. ( 4.4 cm x 24 cm x 24 cm )
Gift of Mrs. C.E. Ball
Chinese
Jar
porcelain with underglaze, and glaze
6 3/4 in x 4 1/8 in x 4 1/8 in (17.2 cm x 10.5 cm x 10.5 cm);4 1/16 in (10.4 cm);7 1/16 in (18 cm);7 1/2 in (19 cm)
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund
Japanese
Blue-and-white plate with floral motif painting, Imari ware
porcelain with blue underglaze painting
1 3/4 in. x 6 1/2 in. x 6 1/2 in. ( 4.5 cm x 16.5 cm x 16.5 cm )
Gift of Mr. Harry C. Nail, Jr.