plate, porcelain w/ overglaze enamel deco. 'Nabeshima ware, wide, shallow bowl shape, on tall pedestal foot. four clusters of pomegranates w/ blue underglaze leaves and branches, and blue-green enamel leaves. darker blue outline. pomegranates are in light and dark red enamel w/ touches of yellow. pure white ground. 3 Chinese coin designs w/ fillets on underside*. Nabeshima 'comb' pattern band around foot. one of four identical plates. H. 4.5 cm. rim Dia. 21.6 cm.
Donor:
Anita Day Symmes Blake, Anson Stiles Blake, and Design (UC Berkeley)
Collection place:
Japan
Verbatim coll. place:
Japan, Saga Prefecture (Hizen), Arita, Okawachi Kiln (Nabeshima) (also known as Okochi)
Collector:
Anita Day Symmes Blake and Anson Stiles Blake
Collection date:
before 1962
Materials:
Enamel (fused coating) and Porcelain (material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Porcelain (visual works)
Function:
1.5 Household
Accession date:
1974
Context of use:
The Okawachi (Okochi) factory was established by, and maintained under the control of the Lord Nabeshima, daimyo of Saga. Ti was founded in 1722, operated by the Imaemon family, which exists in its 12th generation today. Nabeshima ware was never sold commercially, but was instead reserved for the Nabeshima Feudal clan, and later the other clans. The characteristic 'comb' pattern on the foot, and the Chinese coin design became the Nabeshima hallmark and its use by other kilns was outlawed. Nabeshima ware was often produced in sets of 10 or 20, for formal use by the aristocracy, thus a decoration transfer technique was developed. First the design was drawn on paper w/ calabash-gourd charcoal, then rubbed on the unfired pieces. Underglaze blue outline was then drawn over the impression and filled in w/ overglaze enamel.
Department:
Asia (except western Russia)
Dimensions:
diameter 21.6 centimeters and height 4.5 centimeters