Ashmolean Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

‘For ornament and for use’: the changing role of Japanese porcelain

Around 1700, at the height of the ‘china-mania’ in Europe, spectacular porcelain rooms were created in palaces and stately homes. Japanese and Chinese porcelains covered the walls on shelves and brackets. By the mid-1700s, fashions changed and porcelain was displayed more discretely. As tea, coffee, and chocolate drinking became more widespread, Oriental porcelain was bought to be used, not just displayed.

Imari-style porcelain

Imari-style porcelain, with its lavish gold, enamel, and underglaze blue decoration, was exported in great quantities from the late 1600s. Imari ware was named after the Japanese port through which it was shipped. Chinese and European factories soon began to copy it.

Coffee pot with an episode from the Tales of Ise (EA1978.446)   Jug in the form of Dutch Baroque metalware (EA1985.15)   Tankard with modelled flowers and leaves (EA1985.37)

Plate with ‘Parasol Lady’ design (EA1978.489)   Plate with ‘Parasol Lady’ design (EA2008.64)   Plate with ‘Parasol Lady’ design (EA1991.36)

Cup with ships painted in the van Frijtom style (EA1978.790)   Teapot with scenes derived from Olfert Dapper engravings (EA1978.759)   Foliated plate with 'Deshima Island' theme (EA1978.771)

Cylindrical box with phoenixes and flowers (EA1973.197)   Plate with geometric decoration in the style of textile patterns (EA1995.85)

Saucer with quails and flowers (EA1991.48.a)   Cup with quails and flowers (EA1991.48.b)   Lid with quails and flowers (EA1991.48.c)

Bowl with partridges and flowers (EA1991.49)   Cruet jug for vinegar (EA1978.423)   Cruet jug for soy sauce (EA1978.424)

Miniature condiment set (EA2003.12)   Miniature coffee pot with flowers and butterflies (EA1994.102)

Miniature saucer with flowers and butterflies (EA1991.52.a)   Miniature cup with flowers and butterflies (EA1991.52.b)

Small fluted teapot with floral decoration (EA1978.445)   Small teapot with chickens and plants (EA1978.421)   Mustard pot or jug with Dutch mounts (EA1978.419)

Dish with a pagoda in a landscape (EA1978.480)   Square bottle with floral decoration (EA1978.454)   Birdcage vase (EA1992.114)

Octagonal jar with a phoenix and plants (EA1978.777)   Dish with a shishi, or lion dog, amid animals and flowers (EA1976.50)   Octagonal jar with flowers (EA1996.18)