Large Jar with Peonies, Orchids, and Chrysanthemums

染付牡丹蘭菊文大壺

late 1600s

Japan, Edo period

(1615–1868)

Medium

Porcelain with underglaze blue decoration (Imari ware)

Measurements

Diameter: 30.5 cm (12 in.); height: 40.1 cm (15 13/16 in.)

Credit Line

Severance and Greta Millikin Collection 1964.266

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Location

235A Japanese

Did You Know?

This design shows the changing of the seasons: one side depicts a peony blossom in the spring, and the other side continues with chrysanthemums and an orchid in the autumn.

Description

Spring peonies, summer orchids, and autumn chrysanthemums bloom at the same time amid garden rocks. These underglaze blue motifs were inspired by similar designs on Chinese ceramics made for export to Europe. In the early 1600s, Korean potters in Japan discovered kaolin, the clay essential for porcelain production. At the same time, political turmoil in China following the collapse of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) disrupted Chinese exports. Together, these circumstances created an opportunity for Japan to supply ceramics to the European market. Careful study of Chinese prototypes shaped the work of Japanese ceramists for both domestic and overseas audiences.