Ko-Imari iroe gourd design tiered, lidded box
古伊万里色絵瓢図 段重
(early 18th century)
Medium
porcelain
Measurements
(a-b) 20.0 × 16.7 cm diameter (overall)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by Pauline Gandel, 2018
Gallery location
Level 1, NGV International
About this work
Porcelain production developed in Japan during the seventeenth century, when kaolin-type clays were discovered in the Arita area of Kyushu and ceramic-making techniques arrived from Korea and China. First produced with plain white glazing and blue underglaze decoration, Imari ware soon became elaborately decorated with overglazed vibrant colours and gold enamels in a style known as kinran-de. Featuring birds and flowers alongside auspicious symbols and mythological animals, Imari ware appealed to the Japanese love of the natural world and belief in the supernatural. The decorative designs and floret shapes enchanted the aristocratic classes of Europe and Asia.