Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Vintage Thursday Thingie: Blue and White Porcelain

Today I'm sharing two Blue and White Arita ware Japanese tea cups. This one has various designs encircling the outsite set off within lozenges. The first one here is little miniature landscape...see the tree and the sun? it makes me think of a desert island. The second is of a large "tulip" tree. This is a very small cup, only about 2" tall and 2" around.


Inside, on the bottom of the cup, to be see only after finishing your tea, is this wonderfully strange landscape of pointy mountains, clouds and moon and a very interesting bird. The rim of the cup is a bit fluted...not so very common in Arita ware.



Here are the marks but I haven't been able to get an identification.... here's a good on-line source for marks-including modern Made in Japan marks that while it didn't help me, may help some of you. Without being able to completely identify the mark (I have found two of the characters on other pieces) I'll have to take a guess at the age...late 19th century seems pretty safe to say.




Did you notice the fret design around the bottom of the cup and the small design around the rim? Horror vacuii Japanese style! :)





This second Arita ware tea cup is a bit larger...about 3" in diameter and height. It has an all around floral decoration





in a more muted and delicate blue. It has no marks and no design inside the cup...its much simplier than the first but the design is lovely. This cup is probably quite a bit older than the first...it may even be pre-Meiji (1867).



Arita ware is the blue and white parent of colorful Imari ware (you can see my lidded bowl here). Blue and white underglaze decorated porcelain began to be produced at Arita in the 17th century and is still produced today. Here'a a video showing just how underglaze blue decoration is painted-then and now! That's a calligraphy brush in his hand!



Hope you enjoyed seeing my little art treasures!

For more vintage treasures, hop on over to Coloradolady and join in the fun.






14 comments:

Roslyn said...

Those tea cups are delightful I am a sucker for anything to do with tea, Miri!

Coloradolady said...

Miri, these are beautiful, I love the design and shape. You always have some wonderful, interesting things to show us!! Have a great VTT!

Vonlipi said...

I love japanese tea cups and white and blue. You've made me very happy today!

Maureen said...

Very interesting post. I tend to think of the newer stuff when I think about made in Japan ceramics, etc.

Postcardy said...

I enjoyed your treasures and the video.

CC said...

Miri..these are simply gorgeous. They are tiny treasures..thank you for sharing them with us. Happy VTT..

Unknown said...

These are so pretty :) Thank you for sharing!

Sarah

LV said...

Truly a work of art in your blue pieces. I love them all and made for a great VTT showing.

Heartfelt living said...

What lovely Japanese tea cups. I love all the details. A true treasure!

Unknown said...

Your cups are beautiful, Miri! Thanks for all the information, you know how I love to learn on VTT!

★Carol★ said...

Those tea cups are gorgeous, and I especially like the little scene that you can enjoy when you finish drinking your tea! I think out of all of the VTT-ers, you always seem to have to oldest and most interesting pieces!
Happy VTT!
Carol

Stacey said...

What wonderful Asian collectibles. Your knowledge helps me to appreciate what I'm looking at - I enjoyed learning more about them.

Heather said...

The teacups are lovely. Thanks for sharing them.

Micki said...

The teacups are just so lovely!
Micki