Sprinkler
1700-1750 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
From about 1680 the kilns of Jingdezhen started producing enamelled wares in imitation of Japanese Imari-style porcelain. These wares were painted in underglaze blue, then further decorated with iron-red enamel and gilding, and sometimes with additional green and black.
Imari-style porcelain was cheaper than the Japanese equivalent, so large quantities were exported from China, immediately affecting the profitable trade between Japan and Europe. Several types were also exported to the Middle East, including water sprinklers, which were used to contain rose-scented water.
This sprinkler was acquired in Iran by Colonel R.J. Murdoch Smith (1835-1900), the Director of the Indo-European Telegraph Department, based in Tehran.
Imari-style porcelain was cheaper than the Japanese equivalent, so large quantities were exported from China, immediately affecting the profitable trade between Japan and Europe. Several types were also exported to the Middle East, including water sprinklers, which were used to contain rose-scented water.
This sprinkler was acquired in Iran by Colonel R.J. Murdoch Smith (1835-1900), the Director of the Indo-European Telegraph Department, based in Tehran.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain painted in underglaze blue, iron-red enamel and gold |
| Brief description | Porcleain water sprinkler, painted in Imari style, Jingdezhen, China, 1700-1750 |
| Physical description | Porcelain water sprinkler, one of a pair, with bulbous body and long neck, painted in underglaze blue, iron-red enamel and gold in Imary style with flower branches. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Styles | |
| Object history | Purchased from Robert Murdoch Smith, accessioned in 1876. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. Bought in Iran, 11s for the pair |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | From about 1680 the kilns of Jingdezhen started producing enamelled wares in imitation of Japanese Imari-style porcelain. These wares were painted in underglaze blue, then further decorated with iron-red enamel and gilding, and sometimes with additional green and black. Imari-style porcelain was cheaper than the Japanese equivalent, so large quantities were exported from China, immediately affecting the profitable trade between Japan and Europe. Several types were also exported to the Middle East, including water sprinklers, which were used to contain rose-scented water. This sprinkler was acquired in Iran by Colonel R.J. Murdoch Smith (1835-1900), the Director of the Indo-European Telegraph Department, based in Tehran. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1643-1876 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 7, 2000 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
