Flask
1750-1825 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In the 18th century the Dutch were the only Europeans allowed to trade in Japan. Their unfamiliar physical features and peculiar dress aroused much curiosity and it became popular to decorate objects with images of these ‘exotic’ westerners. Figures of Dutchmen appear on the sides of this flask, which would have contained sake (Japanese rice wine). Some of the characters smoke tobacco, a habit introduced to Japan by Europeans.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain decorated with underglaze blue |
| Brief description | Bottle, of square form, porcelain decorated in underglaze blue; Japan, Arita kilns, Edo period, 1650-1725 |
| Physical description | Square flask for sake decorated with four images of Dutchmen, one on each side |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Basil Ionides |
| Summary | In the 18th century the Dutch were the only Europeans allowed to trade in Japan. Their unfamiliar physical features and peculiar dress aroused much curiosity and it became popular to decorate objects with images of these ‘exotic’ westerners. Figures of Dutchmen appear on the sides of this flask, which would have contained sake (Japanese rice wine). Some of the characters smoke tobacco, a habit introduced to Japan by Europeans. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.64-1963 |
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| Record created | February 7, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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