Bottle
1700-1800 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Compared to the unglazed utilitarian ceramics produced during the early Edo period, Seto ware was unique for the period and admired for its rich glaze, elegant form and striking decoration. Durable sake bottles, as exemplified by this piece, had to be both aesthetically pleasing and robust. On this vessel the thick black calligraphic brushwork enhances the white glaze and emphasises the subtle curvature of the body, while the wide base gives the piece stability.
The application of glaze was perfected at the Seto kilns during the fifteenth century and later adopted in the Mino province. Unpretentious in form and decoration the pieces sought to replicate Chinese porcelain ceramics that were in high demand within Japan. During the Momoyama period (1573-1615), many pieces were produced only for ritual or ceremonial use due to the expense of production. By the Edo period (1615-1868) manufacturing methods had significantly improved, reducing costs and subsequently increasing public demand for glazed stoneware. It was during this period that the Seto kilns began to produce vast volumes of Seto ware for everyday domestic use.
The application of glaze was perfected at the Seto kilns during the fifteenth century and later adopted in the Mino province. Unpretentious in form and decoration the pieces sought to replicate Chinese porcelain ceramics that were in high demand within Japan. During the Momoyama period (1573-1615), many pieces were produced only for ritual or ceremonial use due to the expense of production. By the Edo period (1615-1868) manufacturing methods had significantly improved, reducing costs and subsequently increasing public demand for glazed stoneware. It was during this period that the Seto kilns began to produce vast volumes of Seto ware for everyday domestic use.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Glazed stoneware |
Brief description | Sake bottle, stoneware with white glaze, decorated with calligraphic design, Seto, Japan, 1700-1800 |
Physical description | Sake bottle, with clear white glaze over calligraphic decoration in underglaze iron brown. It has a wide torso with a gentle curve, short neck and everted rim. Decorated with a calligraphic design in heavy, flowing brushwork on a white glaze background, the vase has a rustic appearance. On the base of the vessel there is no glaze and the dark colour of the stoneware body remains visible, while on one side of the vessel the glazing has pooled to form three long drips. There is slight crazing visible within the glaze. |
Dimensions |
|
Style | |
Gallery label | Bottle for sake with poetic inscription
1700–1800
The Seto kilns near Nagoya have long been one of the most important ceramic-manufacturing centres in Japan. From the 17th century they supplied functional ceramics like this bottle to much of central and eastern Japan, including the large and populous market of Edo (Tokyo).
Seto kilns
Stoneware painted in underglaze brown
Gift of Alexander Bruce
Museum no. FE.83-2011
(04/11/2015) |
Credit line | Given by Alexander Bruce |
Summary | Compared to the unglazed utilitarian ceramics produced during the early Edo period, Seto ware was unique for the period and admired for its rich glaze, elegant form and striking decoration. Durable sake bottles, as exemplified by this piece, had to be both aesthetically pleasing and robust. On this vessel the thick black calligraphic brushwork enhances the white glaze and emphasises the subtle curvature of the body, while the wide base gives the piece stability. The application of glaze was perfected at the Seto kilns during the fifteenth century and later adopted in the Mino province. Unpretentious in form and decoration the pieces sought to replicate Chinese porcelain ceramics that were in high demand within Japan. During the Momoyama period (1573-1615), many pieces were produced only for ritual or ceremonial use due to the expense of production. By the Edo period (1615-1868) manufacturing methods had significantly improved, reducing costs and subsequently increasing public demand for glazed stoneware. It was during this period that the Seto kilns began to produce vast volumes of Seto ware for everyday domestic use. |
Collection | |
Accession number | FE.83-2011 |
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Record created | February 1, 2011 |
Record URL |
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