A RARE JAPANESE ARITA BLUE AND WHITE VOC CHARGER, EDO PERIOD...

Estimate

R125,000 - R185,000

Hammer

R125,000

A RARE JAPANESE ARITA BLUE AND WHITE VOC CHARGER, EDO PERIOD 1603 - 1867

More Information

The shallow dish decorated in underglaze blue and painted to the centre with Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie) VOC monogram surrounded by two Ho-o birds amongst pomegranate and camellia, the six radiating border panels at the rim enclosing bamboo with plum blossoms alternating with peony and divided by narrow bands of cobalt blue, seven spur marks to the base
38,6cm diameter


PROVENANCE
Bluett & Sons, London, paper label

LITERATURE
cf. Christie's, Japanese Art and its influence at the European Court, Online Auction 10431, 23 June - 7 July 2016, Lot 44

cf. William Fehr (1973) Treasures at the Castle of Good Hope, Board of Trustees William Fehr Collection, Cape Town, illustrated on page 56, fig. 66.

cf. CS Woodward (1974) Oriental Ceramics at the Cape of Good Hope 1652-1795, AA Balkema, Cape Town, illustrated on page 52, fig. 83

LOT ESSAY
With the collapse in 1644 of the Ming Dynasty in China, the source of Holland's abundant supply of Wanli blue and white 'Kraak' porcelain came to an end. To maintain supply of these popular and profitable wares to the European markets, the Dutch East India Company turned to Japan for manufacture. Whilst maintaining the original Chinese 'kraak' characteristics of a central floral or animal motif surrounded by a radiating segmented border, Japanese 'kraak' dishes show some differences, particularly in the wider panels without the use of auspicious symbols, and in the depiction of the phoenix (ho-o birds) with their fanned-out tails.
Dishes with the VOC monogram are exemplars of East West relations in ceramics and the role the company played in them. No special mention is made of them in the trade documents, but it can be taken that they were commissioned for use by high-ranking Dutch officials at the factory on Deshima and possibly also in Batavia and other factories in Asia.

Bluett & Sons, commonly known as Bluetts, was one of the most renowned dealers of Chinese art in London from the early 1920s. Founded by Alfred Ernest Bluett (1853–1917), the company remained a family firm for three generations. Not only were they founding members of the British Antique Dealers’ Association in 1919, but the company was also instrumental in establishing the Oriental Ceramic Society in 1921.
Bluetts’ clients included many of the great collectors of the twentieth century, such as Sir Percival David, Sir Alan Barlow, Avery Brundage, and King Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden, as well as major museums around the world. Roger Bluett and Brian Morgan sold the business in 1988, and Bluett & Sons officially closed in 1992.


CONDITION REPORT
* Fine condition free from restoration
* Free from hairlines and chips
* Areas of discolouration to the reverse
* Minor firing irregularities
* Glaze scratches and areas of glaze wear
* Rough foot with some kiln grit adhering
* Bluett & Sons paper label inscribed '913'