Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

Ashmolean − Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

Room 37 | Japan 1600-1850 gallery

Discover the arts of the Edo period (1600-1868) from porcelain to lacquer to painting.

Japan 1600-1850 gallery

Changing role of Japanese porcelain

For ornament and for use’: the changing role of Japanese porcelain

Around 1700, at the height of the ‘china-mania’ in Europe, spectacular porcelain rooms were created in palaces and stately homes. Japanese and Chinese porcelains covered the walls on shelves and brackets. By the mid-1700s, fashions changed and porcelain was displayed more discretely. As tea, coffee, and chocolate drinking became more widespread, Oriental porcelain was bought to be used, not just displayed.

Imari-style porcelain

Imari-style porcelain, with its lavish gold, enamel, and underglaze blue decoration, was exported in great quantities from the late 1600s. Imari ware was named after the Japanese port through which it was shipped. Chinese and European factories soon began to copy it.

Coffee pot with an episode from the Tales of Ise (EA1978.446) Coffee pot with an episode from the Tales of Ise (EA1978.446)   Jug in the form of Dutch Baroque metalware (EA1985.15) Jug in the form of Dutch Baroque metalware (EA1985.15)   Tankard with modelled flowers and leaves (EA1985.37) Tankard with modelled flowers and leaves (EA1985.37)
Plate with ‘Parasol Lady’ design (EA1978.489) Plate with ‘Parasol Lady’ design (EA1978.489)   Plate with ‘Parasol Lady’ design (EA2008.64) Plate with ‘Parasol Lady’ design (EA2008.64)   Plate with ‘Parasol Lady’ design (EA1991.36) Plate with ‘Parasol Lady’ design (EA1991.36)
Cup with ships painted in the van Frijtom style (EA1978.790) Cup with ships painted in the van Frijtom style (EA1978.790)   Teapot with scenes derived from Olfert Dapper engravings (EA1978.759) Teapot with scenes derived from Olfert Dapper engravings (EA1978.759)   Foliated plate with 'Deshima Island' theme (EA1978.771) Foliated plate with 'Deshima Island' theme (EA1978.771)
Cylindrical box with phoenixes and flowers (EA1973.197) Cylindrical box with phoenixes and flowers (EA1973.197)   Plate with geometric decoration in the style of textile patterns (EA1995.85) Plate with geometric decoration in the style of textile patterns (EA1995.85)
Saucer with quails and flowers (EA1991.48.a) Saucer with quails and flowers (EA1991.48.a)   Cup with quails and flowers (EA1991.48.b) Cup with quails and flowers (EA1991.48.b)   Lid with quails and flowers (EA1991.48.c) Lid with quails and flowers (EA1991.48.c)
Bowl with partridges and flowers (EA1991.49) Bowl with partridges and flowers (EA1991.49)   Cruet jug for vinegar (EA1978.423) Cruet jug for vinegar (EA1978.423)   Cruet jug for soy sauce (EA1978.424) Cruet jug for soy sauce (EA1978.424)
Miniature condiment set (EA2003.12) Miniature condiment set (EA2003.12)   Miniature coffee pot with flowers and butterflies (EA1994.102) Miniature coffee pot with flowers and butterflies (EA1994.102)
Miniature saucer with flowers and butterflies (EA1991.52.a) Miniature saucer with flowers and butterflies (EA1991.52.a)   Miniature cup with flowers and butterflies (EA1991.52.b) Miniature cup with flowers and butterflies (EA1991.52.b)
Small fluted teapot with floral decoration (EA1978.445) Small fluted teapot with floral decoration (EA1978.445)   Small teapot with chickens and plants (EA1978.421) Small teapot with chickens and plants (EA1978.421)   Mustard pot or jug with Dutch mounts (EA1978.419) Mustard pot or jug with Dutch mounts (EA1978.419)
Dish with a pagoda in a landscape (EA1978.480) Dish with a pagoda in a landscape (EA1978.480)   Square bottle with floral decoration (EA1978.454) Square bottle with floral decoration (EA1978.454)   Birdcage vase (EA1992.114) Birdcage vase (EA1992.114)
Octagonal jar with a phoenix and plants (EA1978.777) Octagonal jar with a phoenix and plants (EA1978.777)   Dish with a shishi, or lion dog, amid animals and flowers (EA1976.50) Dish with a shishi, or lion dog, amid animals and flowers (EA1976.50)   Octagonal jar with flowers (EA1996.18) Octagonal jar with flowers (EA1996.18)
Notice

Objects may have since been removed or replaced from a gallery. Click into an individual object record to confirm whether or not an object is currently on display. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis, so contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular Eastern Art object.

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