Dish
1660-1680 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Porcelain was first made in Japan in the early years of the 17th century at kilns in and around the town of Arita in the northern part of the western island of Kyushu. The earliest pieces were designed for the domestic market. Production increased from 1650 onwards, with a large part of the industry being directed towards the making of pots for export to Europe. The use of a central scene surrounded by a panelled design is common among blue-and-white porcelain imported into Europe from both China and Japan. The centre of this particular dish bears the VOC monogram of the Dutch East India Company. The Dutch were the only Europeans permitted to maintain a trading post in Japan from 1639 until the re-opening of the country in the 1850s.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain decorated in underglaze blue |
| Brief description | Dish, blue and white porcelain, with VOC monogram, Arita ware, 1660-1680 |
| Physical description | Six panels, VOC (= Dutch East India Company) logo in centre |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label |
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| Object history | Purchased from Foster & Co. (54 Pall Mall), accessioned in 1886. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Historical context | Plates and dishes formed the bulk of imports into Europe from both China and Japan. The most popular decoration for these pieces was the sort on this dish, with a central scene and panelled design on the rim. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Porcelain was first made in Japan in the early years of the 17th century at kilns in and around the town of Arita in the northern part of the western island of Kyushu. The earliest pieces were designed for the domestic market. Production increased from 1650 onwards, with a large part of the industry being directed towards the making of pots for export to Europe. The use of a central scene surrounded by a panelled design is common among blue-and-white porcelain imported into Europe from both China and Japan. The centre of this particular dish bears the VOC monogram of the Dutch East India Company. The Dutch were the only Europeans permitted to maintain a trading post in Japan from 1639 until the re-opening of the country in the 1850s. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 3-1886 |
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| Record created | February 19, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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