Cabinet M: 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
Blue-and-white shallow plate with the character shou (longevity), surrounded by 4 crabs
porcelain with blue underglaze painting
1 5/8 in. x 7 3/8 in. x 7 3/8 in. ( 4.13 cm x 18.73 cm x 18.73 cm )
Gift of Ellen and Richard Laing
Japanese
Large serving plate with design of lion romping among peonies
Porcelain with blue and black underglaze painting
2 1/2 in. x 16 in. x 16 in. ( 6.35 cm x 40.6 cm x 40.6 cm )
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Cook
Chinese
Bowl
porcelain with underglaze, and glaze
3 7/16 in x 8 1/8 in x 8 1/8 in (8.8 cm x 20.6 cm x 20.6 cm)
Gift of the Estate of Hobart Taylor, Jr.
Chinese
Blue-and-white square incense burner
porcelain with blue underglaze painting
5 1/16 in. x 8 1/4 in. x 4 9/16 in. ( 12.8 cm x 21 cm x 11.6 cm )
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund
Chinese
Box
porcelain with underglaze and glaze
1 7/16 in x 2 1/2 in x 2 1/2 in (3.65 cm x 6.35 cm x 6.35 cm)
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund
Korean
Small blue-and-white jar with abstracted plant design
porcelain with blue underglaze painting
2 13/16 x 3 5/16 x 3 5/16 in. (7 x 8.3 x 8.3 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Caroline I. Plumer for the James Marshall Plumer Collection
Korean
Blue-and-white small jar with peony and 'cloud collar' designs
porcelain with blue underglaze painting
3 11/16 x 4 13/16 x 4 13/16 in. (9.3 x 12.1 x 12.1 cm)
Gift of Bruce and Inta Hasenkamp and Museum purchase made possible by Elder and Mrs. Sang-Yong Nam
Chinese
Blue-and-white covered jar with landscape design
stoneware with blue underglaze painting
6 9/16 in. x 6 1/8 in. x 6 1/8 in. ( 16.7 cm x 15.5 cm x 15.5 cm )
Gift of Professor Charles H. and Katharine C. Sawyer
Korean
Blue-and-white small jar with peony and 'cloud collar' designs
porcelain with blue underglaze painting
3 11/16 x 4 13/16 x 4 13/16 in. (9.3 x 12.1 x 12.1 cm)
Gift of Bruce and Inta Hasenkamp and Museum purchase made possible by Elder and Mrs. Sang-Yong Nam
Chinese
Blue-and-white covered jar with landscape design
stoneware with blue underglaze painting
6 9/16 in. x 6 1/8 in. x 6 1/8 in. ( 16.7 cm x 15.5 cm x 15.5 cm )
Gift of Professor Charles H. and Katharine C. Sawyer
Chinese
Blue and white porcelain bowl with medallion designs
porcelain with blue underglaze painting
2 3/8 in. x 4 3/4 in. x 4 3/4 in. ( 6 cm x 12 cm x 12 cm )
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund