Tag Archives: Japanese porcelain

Book Review: THE MALCOM D. GUTTER COLLECTION OF EARLY MEISSEN PORCELAIN

THE MALCOM D. GUTTER COLLECTION OF EARLY MEISSEN PORCELAIN

EDITED BY MARIA SANTANGELO

Hirmer Verlag
ISBN-10: 3777429848
ISBN-13: 978-3777429847
£52.00

 978-3-7774-2984-7

In reviewing this book I should first like to say that I have known Malcolm for some nineteen years, usually meeting him each time he comes to London and so have been lucky to hear first hand some of the stories about how he acquired pieces for his amazing collection. The stories he so generously shares in this volume highlight what it is to be a true collector – the victories, the defeats and most importantly the ‘kismet’ when an object and collector eventually come together because that is the right outcome.

The quality of these items is remarkable and their history even more so. Malcolm explains how –  on  a limited budget as he is an academic – he has acquired these early Meissen pieces including those that were made for Augustus II’s Japanisches Palais in Dresden which was built to house his porcelain collections and which also included Chinese and Japanese porcelain. Malcolm has some of these too with the Japanese Palace’s inventory mark on them.  It is quite possible that such pieces were the inspiration for modellers and decorators at Meissen.

It really is a “Princely” collection and devotees of Meissen should be grateful for all the studying and hard work Malcolm put into forming this remarkable collection and for his promising it to the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco. While I like porcelain I have never been particularly drawn to Meissen but this book has opened my mind to it in a way that I had not expected. That is really something for a book to achieve! So well done Malcolm in sharing your enthusiasm with a wider public and for allowing us to get a taste of what it is to be a collector of your magnitude.

 

http://www.hirmerverlag.de

Exquisite ceramics!

Kensuke Fujiyoshi, Sladmore Contemporary, 32 Bruton Place, London W1, until 26th May 2017

Kensuke Fujiyoshi, Japanese, b.1966
‘Small Rhino (colours)’, unique ceramic, 2.5″ x 3.2″ x 1.1″

The delightful miniature figures, boxes and sculptures produced by the Japanese ceramicist Kensuke Fujiyoshi are all his own work from start to finish.  They are a contemporary interpretation of traditional Japanese artwork and there can be little doubt as to why they are so eagerly sought by collectors and lovers of ceramic art.

Kensuke Fujiyoshi, Japanese, b.1966
‘Prawns box’, unique ceramic, 3.5″ x 2.7″ x 2.7″

http://www.sladmorecontemporary.com

London celebrates Asian Art

Panoramic view of the landscape and poem on a brushpot China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen kilns, Qing dynasty, Yongzheng (1723–35) or early Qianlong (1736–95) period, commissioned by Tang Ying (1682–1756) Porcelain with famille-rose (fencai) decoration, height 13.5 cm Private collection

Panoramic view of the landscape and poem on a brushpot
China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen kilns, Qing dynasty, Yongzheng (1723–35)
or early Qianlong (1736–95) period, commissioned by Tang Ying (1682–1756)
Porcelain with famille-rose (fencai) decoration, height 13.5 cm
Private collection

The 19th Asian Art in London runs from 3rd-12th of November and promises once again to bring a wide mixture of art and antiques from all periods. I would especially like to draw your attention to the special exhibition that the Oriental Ceramics Society is holding at Sotheby’s in Bond Street. Entitled ‘China without Dragons’ (3rd-9thNovember 2016) it features some two hundred ceramic pieces with the majority coming from either Japan or China.

Moonflask with carnations and asters China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen kilns, Ming dynasty, Yongle period (1403–1424) Porcelain with underglaze cobalt-blue decoration, height 28 cm Private collection

Moonflask with carnations and asters
China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen kilns, Ming dynasty, Yongle period (1403–1424)
Porcelain with underglaze cobalt-blue decoration, height 28 cm
Private collection

As the curator Regina Krahl (a former Society president) says: “This exhibition aims to celebrate the rich store of Chinese ceramics collected within the Oriental Ceramic Society. The fascination of an exhibition such as this lies in its phenomenal spectrum. It covers the full range from the rarest masterpieces that we might see in a major museum show to minor items that would otherwise rarely be exhibited but which display some unusual or noteworthy aspect, are particularly well made, or are simply beautiful. It is hoped that this selection will be enjoyed by specialists as well as by amateurs.”

Zodiac figure of the horse China, Henan province, Gongxian region, Tang dynasty, 7th or 8th century Earthenware with sancai glazes, height 22.2 cm Private collection

Zodiac figure of the horse
China, Henan province, Gongxian region, Tang dynasty, 7th or 8th century
Earthenware with sancai glazes, height 22.2 cm
Private collection

The Oriental Ceramics Society (OCS) was founded in Craven Hill Gardens in London in 1921 and has a long-established reputation as being the leading international society for those interested in studying and appreciating Asian Art and has over seven hundred members worldwide.

Porcelain vase decorated with yangcai overglaze enamels China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen kilns, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736-1795) Height 47 cm Private collection

Porcelain vase decorated with yangcai overglaze enamels
China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen kilns, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736-1795)
Height 47 cm
Private collection

 

Archaic Jade Notched Disc Late Neolithic period – Shang period, 2000 - 1500 BC Diameter: 33.0cm Courtesy of Eskenazi

Archaic Jade Notched Disc
Late Neolithic period – Shang period, 2000 – 1500 BC
Diameter: 33.0cm
Courtesy of Eskenazi

One cannot write about Asian Art in London without mentioning the renowned firm Eskenazi and what a corker of an exhibition (Early Chinese Art from Private Collections, 3rd – 25th November 2016) they offer us this year.  It consists of twenty-four early examples of Chinese art (early jades, bone carvings, archaic bronzes and inlaid metalwork) dating from the Neolithic period to the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD).  They all come from private collections and many have illustrious provenances having been previously owned by well-known collectors, including Luo Zhenyu, Pan Zuyin, Alexandre J. Argyropoulos, Edward T. Chow and Adolphe Stoclet.  Many of the items have a common theme in that they feature animal decoration or animal motifs. Alongside this they are showing works by the well-known contemporary Chinese ink painter Zeng Xiaojun (b.1954) in what is his first European show.

Archaic Bronze Wine Vessel and Cover (You) Shang or Early Western Zhou period, 11th century BC Height (to top of knop): 27.4cm Weight (without handle): 3.80kg Courtesy of Eskenazi

Archaic Bronze Wine Vessel and Cover (You)
Shang or Early Western Zhou period, 11th century BC
Height (to top of knop): 27.4cm
Weight (without handle): 3.80kg
Courtesy of Eskenazi

 

Gilt-bronze, Agate and Turquoise Bear Han period, 206 BC - 220 AD Height: 10.6cm Courtesy of Eskenazi

Gilt-bronze, Agate and Turquoise Bear
Han period, 206 BC – 220 AD
Height: 10.6cm
Courtesy of Eskenazi

 

Bonsai I Ink and colour on paper Dimensions: 180cm by 138cm Signed: Zeng Xiaojun Artist’s seal: Painted by Zeng Xiaojun Courtesy of Eskenazi

Bonsai I
Ink and colour on paper
Dimensions: 180cm by 138cm
Signed: Zeng Xiaojun
Artist’s seal: Painted by Zeng Xiaojun
Courtesy of Eskenazi

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.ocs-london.com

http://www.sothebys.com

http://www.eskenazi.co.uk

Kakiemon at the British Museum

The Asahi Shimbun Display Made in Japan: Kakiemon and 400 years of porcelain, Room 3 British Museum Great Russell Street, London WC1, until 21 August 2016

Boy on a Go Board, Kakiemon Kiln, later 17th century © The Trustees of the British Museum

Boy on a Go Board, Kakiemon Kiln, later 17th century
© The Trustees of the British Museum

This is a great celebration of Japanese porcelain which was first made four hundred years ago in the town of Arita. Japan was a latecomer to porcelain production when compared to China and Korea but thanks to domestic unrest in China it was able to quickly gain a market which thanks to the Dutch East India Company, included Europe.

Painting overglaze enamels onto Kakiemon porcelain © The Trustees of the British Museum

Painting overglaze enamels onto Kakiemon porcelain
© The Trustees of the British Museum

The traditional classic Kakiemon style of the last thirty years of the 17th century comprised of overglaze enamels (orange-red, green, blue and yellow) which were sparsely but elegantly applied to the porcelain.  It was particularly popular with Queen Mary in this country and you will find examples in many stately homes and museums too. Although the production of the classic style actually ceased in Japan in the 18th century it was copied by the Chinese and in Europe.

Four Kakiemon style dishes from Japan, China, Germany and Britain, 17th-18th centuries © The Trustees of the British Museum

Four Kakiemon style dishes from Japan, China, Germany and Britain, 17th-18th centuries
© The Trustees of the British Museum

One porcelain maker was Sakaida Kizaemon who in 1647 was thought to be the man who introduced the overglaze enamelling technique to the porcelain kilns in Arita; a fact which earned him the name Sakaida Kakiemon I – which reflects the orangey-red colour that comes from kaki (persimmon). Kakiemon I was the starter of a dynasty of potters which passes down to the eldest son and in fact the current Sakaida Kakiemon XV who succeeded his father Kakiemon XIV in 2013 has especially made a new work, decorated with acorn branches, for the British Museum.  In the mid-20th century Kakiemon XIII brought back the traditional style in a more contemporary form and that tradition continues today.

Sakaida Kakiemon XV examines his work © The Trustees of the British Museum

Sakaida Kakiemon XV examines his work
© The Trustees of the British Museum

This is a must see exhibition for anyone interested in porcelain!

 

Britishmuseum.org

Advance Warning – Ceramics, 25th June 2016

Prestige Ceramic Fairs – London Fair, Kensington Town Hall, Conference Events Centre, Hornton Street, Kensington, London W8, 25th June 2016

Juno Antiques Early London decorated small Chinese teapot and cover, enamelled with white flower heads on a green seeded ground, surrounded by red and gilt tramline cartouches, c.1740.

Juno Antiques
Early London decorated small Chinese teapot and cover, enamelled with white flower heads on a green seeded ground, surrounded by red and gilt tramline cartouches, c.1740.

This twice yearly fair is a must do for those who collect ceramics whether 18th and 19th century British porcelain and pottery or their oriental equivalent.  It is nice that such a fair with its twenty plus specialist dealers still exists in the capital.

http://www.prestigeceramicfairs.com

www.junoantiques.com 

A Ceramic Feast

Selling Exhibition: Private Collections and Noteworthy Acquisitions, Stockspring Antiques, 114 Kensington Church St, London W8, 16th – 21st November 2015

A Pair of Vauxhall Vases decorated by James Giles c. 1764-68

A Pair of Vauxhall Vases decorated by James Giles
c. 1764-68

One can understand why collectors eagerly await this annual selling exhibition of English, Continental and Oriental porcelain for there is always much to tempt them. This year delivers some great pieces of which I show a few.

A Mennecy Owl c. 1750-55

A Mennecy Owl
c. 1750-55

The opening words of the catalogue’s foreword offer a useful reminder as to why some of us collect: Collecting ceramics gives us intriguing windows into the past with each piece resonating with the life, times, hopes and aspirations of its original owner.

A Lefebvre Paris Portrait Plaque of Princess Charlotte c. 1818

A Lefebvre Paris Portrait Plaque of Princess Charlotte
c. 1818

 

A Chinese Ko-sometsuke Dish for the Japanese Market Tianqui, c. 1621-7

A Chinese Ko-sometsuke Dish for the Japanese Market
Tianqui, c. 1621-7

 

A Liverpool Delftware Charger after a Chinese Kangxi design c. 1760

A Liverpool Delftware Charger after a Chinese Kangxi design
c. 1760

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Derby Figure of Andromache Weeping over the Ashes of Hector c. 1780-85

A Derby Figure of Andromache Weeping over the Ashes of Hector
c. 1780-85

http://www.antique-porcelain.co.uk