17th Century Edo Period Polychrome Covered Vase

Japanese export porcelain vase, c. 1690.
 
Dimensions: Approximately 15½” high.
 
Decoration:
The shoulder and the lower part of the body are decorated in the early imari style with deep blue and gilded decoration.
 
The central part of the body is decorated with Hoo birds (Japanese phoenixes)
alternating with floral designs. These designs are executed in the Kakiemon palette.
 
The lid has a button finial and is similarly decorated.
 
The base is undecorated.
 
The shape of the vase is consistent with pieces dated circa 1680 to 1690. This is confirmed by a chronological analysis of the shapes of Japanese export vases and jugs from examples of Japanese export porcelain found in the Burley House collection and other sources that can be found in The Kyushu Ceramic Museum, “Catalog of Shibata Collection Part V”, pp. 288- 250.
 
A similarly shaped example dated circa 1670 is illustrated and discussed in Impey, “Japanese Export Porcelain”, p. 76.
 
With the disruption of the Jingdezhen kilns in the middle of the 17the century, the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie or VOC) turned to Japan to provide porcelain for the Dutch market.
 
This was primarily blue and white wares produced at the Arita kilns, but polychrome examples were also imported.
 
By the 1680s, the Jingdezhen kilns were back in operation, producing porcelain for export in larger quantities and at lower cost than the Japanese kilns. Consequently, imports from Japan rapidly declined. However, private trade continued into the 18th century.
 
References:
Gansu Provincial Museum ed., in “Imari, Japanese Porcelain of the Edo Period Exported to Europe”.
Impey, “Japanese Export Porcelain”.
Jorg, “Fine & Curious, Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections”.
P.L.J. Arts, “Japanese Porcelain”.
The Kyushu Ceramic Museum, “Complete Catalog of Shibata Collection”
 
Condition: Minor losses to enamels and gilding; otherwise in excellent condition consistent with age and usage. Please examine the photos; they are part of the description.
 
PLEASE NOTE: This is a large and heavy item to ship