Accession Number
2002/2.11

Title
Imari vase in the shape of a double gourd, with overall design of chrysanthemums

Artist(s)
Japanese

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1820-1850

Medium & Support
porcelain, blue underglaze and enamel overglaze

Dimensions
9 13/16 in. x 6 5/16 in. ( 25 cm x 16 cm )

Credit Line
Gift of the William T. and Dora G. Hunter Collection

Label copy
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
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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.

Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

Primary Object Type
vase

Additional Object Classification(s)
Decorative Arts

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
vases