Grand plat (ōzara) à décor de paons

Arita (centre de production céramique)

Entre 1850 et 1870
Porcelaine, Décor peint sous couverte
Plat
Marque peinte en bleu à l'intérieur du pied : "Hichōzan Kaji Tōru tsukuru" 肥蝶山 梶棣造 [Fabriqué par Kaji Tōru de Hichōzan]
Legs : Cernuschi, Henri

M.C. 3477

The peacock theme is traditional in the art of both China and Japan. In China it is found on large dishes decorated in underglaze blue from the Mongolian period, and in Japan, in numerous paintings of the Kanō school. The peacock is considered an auspicious, protective creature, which destroys snakes and vermin.
The wave motif on the underside of the dish resembles, in a denser style, that of early 19th century dishes.
Several ceramicists have been linked to this work, because the character Kaji is part of their name: Kaji Tomo, who made a large dish; an artist signing himself as Hichōzan Kaji Kyū sei; and Kajiwara Rikichi, who in 1878 made a dish for the Koransha company. All these works have been dated to the early Meiji period (1868-1912). Nevertheless, this one, with its lambrequin decor around the edge resembling that of a dish found on the site of the home of the Date clan from Sendai, in Tokyo, would appear to date from the Bakumatsu period (1854-1868) rather than the early Meiji.
In Arita, the Kajiwara family continues its activity to this day, with the Kajiken factory, in Kuromuta, and the Kajisada factory, founded in the early 20th century.

 

Author of the record : Michel Maucuer