Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Vintage Thursday Thingie: Japanese Imari Porcelain

This is a Japanese Imari Porcelain covered rice bowl. It is decorated in a underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze enamels in a fashion typical for this type of porcelain.
You can see the that it is painted with colored flowers and fans in panels around the outside of the bowl.

Imari ware was made at Arita, Kyushu and was very popular in Europe and took the name from the port that it was shipped out of. You can find out more about Imari ware and see some wonderful pieces here.

Small stylized flowers only in underglaze blue decorate the inside of the bowl and lid with bands of decoration around the rims.


Inside the raised foot is the porcelain mark-Aoki-believed to be a family mark (potttery production was often carried on by the same families for generations-with family secrets as to glazes and decorative designs).
It is very hard to specifically date a piece like this, the mark was used for a long period, so the piece could be from as early as the late 19th century until the mid-20th century.

I bought this piece years before I went to Japan...in 1971, now don't laugh, at Dayton's Department Store in Minneapolis, Mn. Don't ask me why but Dayton's imported alot of antique Imari ware pieces for Christmas 1971 and sold them in their regular china department! (You can see some wonderful pictures of Dayton's-inside and out-here.)

I was an art history student and heard about the sale from a professor and rushed right over. My sister was getting married and I thought-what an unusual wedding gift! I got them a beautiful platter and bought this rice bowl for myself. How did I pay for them...with my very first credit card!

For more vintage treasures, visit Coloradolady! and join in the fun of Vintage Thursday!

26 comments:

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

these are beautiful...one thing that I noticed while I was in japan was the beautiful patterns on their dishes...and they use so many dishes and bowls at each meal - very colorful tables!

LV said...

Japan made things are some of the most beautiful. The detail and workmanship is above all. You have some very pretty pieces.

Jocelyn said...

Very lovely. Beautiful patterns. Happy VTT!

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

beautiful dishes!!
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

CC said...

The dishes are gorgeous. I love the patterns on the little bowl. Happy VTT,have a wonderful weekend.

Diann said...

The colors and details are beauiful!

Postcardy said...

I love your bowl. I wish I had heard about that sale. I had a Dayton's card and was a student at the University of Minnesota back then.

Keetha Broyles said...

Great little piece!

Vonlipi said...

I love japanese porcelain. This is a very beautiful bowl with unusual decorations.

Thank you for sharing! :)

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

So pretty and I learned something I didn't know before. Twice the fun! Thanks!

Bea said...

They are so beautiful, Miri.

★Carol★ said...

What a great story, especially how you paid for the items with your first credit card! Beautiful pieces, and thanks for the history lesson too!
Happy VTT!
Carol

Roslyn said...

What a great deal you got, I hope that your sis appreciates her platter !

Ulla said...

Beautiful bowl and very special story behind it. I remember my parents have a plate with this type of decoration.

Anonymous said...

these bowls are just lovely..i love the intricate designs and glazes

Unknown said...

Too funny that they came from Dayton's. They really are gorgeous!!

Blessings!
Gail

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Ooooh, how PRETTY...thanks for sharing the story about IMARI WARE. Thanks for coming by and the sweet comment...hope to see you again:)

Blessings,
Linda

Micki said...

These pieces are beautiful! I love the beautiful designs on the pieces!
Micki

Angela said...

What a fun story about your porcelain. I love the bright and vivid colors in them! Beautiful pattern too!

Vintage Thingies Thursday!
Angela

Jane said...

These are beautiful pieces. I loved reading about how you bought them in MN...with your 1st credit card. How many credit cards have you worn out since then :-)
Jane

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

Those are just beautiful!

Susan said...

These are beautiful pieces and yes, I can believe you found them at Dayton's. I worked at Hudson's in Detroit in 1972 and bought my mother some unusual pieces. Back then their buyers really brought in good stuff.

Teresa~ Gardening with Soule said...

So pretty and what detailed work.

Troy said...

Not having been born with a hand for art, I can only admire and respect the patience it would take to add all that painstaking detail. Incredible!

Troy said...

Not having been born with a hand for art, I can only admire and respect the patience it would take to add all that painstaking detail. Incredible!

Coloradolady said...

Beautiful.....sorry I am so late, I want to throw my computer in the street.....Happy VTT.