Chinese polychrome
An important innovation of the Jiajing period (1522 to 1566), the so-called Wucai ("five-color") decoration, was one of the last major additions to the lexicon of ornamental techniques that were developed during the Ming dynasty. Wucai, meaning five enamels or "five color ware" ,is ,in reality, mostly three enamels (red, green, and yellow) within outlines in blackish dry cobalt, underglaze blue, plus the white of the porcelain body, all in all making up five colors. Despite its name, the number of colors in wucai decoration is not strictly limited to five.
The Ming wucai enamels resemble bits of translucent colored glass that have been fused to the surface of the glaze. While some variety in tone could be achieved with them, gradations in color were quite limited, and any shading of individual colors was virtually impossible.
In the early Qing dynasty, the green becomes more dominant with multiple shades evolving to what is known as Kangxi-wucai (Famille Verte) with the underglaze blue being replaced with overglaze blue, an invention of the late Kangxi period. There was no overglaze blue prior to the late Kangxi period. As the wucai palette evolved other overglaze enamels were added and sometimes replaced some of the basic original five.
This first Chinese Imari was produced at the end of the reign of the Chinese emperor Kangxi (1662-1722) and it remained popular up until the mid 18th century. Quickly making up for their 40-year absence from the export market, the Chinese started producing Chinese Imari wares that were much cheaper than the labor-intensive Japanese Kinrande. Consequently, the European merchants shifted their orders back to China, away from Arita.
As a general rule the Chinese Imari pieces are more finely potted, have a thinner and more even glaze than the Japanese. The red enamels are typically thinner and more translucent than the Japanese which tends to be of a fuller, darker red. The underglaze blue is generally more bright and clear than the Japanese.
In the last years of the Kangxi reign, foreign rouge-red oxide based enamel was used to color flower petals. This started a trend toward a new palette (known in the West as Famille Rose) during the succeeding Yongzheng and Qianlong reigns. The best quality Famille Rose export wares date from the Yongzheng period (1723-1735). The majority of the enamels are opaque or semi-opaque and do not flow when fired. The palette takes its name from a rose-colored enamel which makes up a characteristic color in the palette. Other significant colors in this palette are opaque yellow and opaque white. Compared with the transparent Famille Verte enamels of the previous Kangxi period, this new opaque palette could be fired at a lower temperature and had a wider color range.
current offerings
17th Century Shoki-Imari Blue and White Porcelain Plate with Arrowhead Plant Design
17th Century Shoki-Imari Blue and White Porcelain Plate with Arrowhead Plant Design
17th Century Shoki-Imari Blue and White Porcelain Plate with Arrowhead Plant Design
17th Century Shoki-Imari Blue and White Porcelain Dish with Landscape
17th Century Shoki-Imari Blue and White Porcelain Plate with Arrowhead Plant Design
17th Century Shoki-Imari Blue and White Porcelain Plate with Arrowhead Plant Design
17th Century Impressive Shoki-Imari Blue and White Charger with Landscape Design
17th Century Shoki-Imari Blue and White Porcelain Plate with Arrowhead Plant Design
17th Century Impressive Shoki-Imari Blue and White Charger with Landscape Design
17th Century Shoki-Imari Blue and White Porcelain Warbler Dish
17th Century Shoki-Imari Blue and White Porcelain Warbler Dish
17th Century Impressive Shoki-Imari Blue and White Charger with Landscape Design
17th Century Shoki-Imari Blue and White Moulded Bamboo Dish
17th Century Shoki-Imari Blue and White Porcelain Warbler Dish
17th Century Shoki-Imari Blue and White Moulded Bamboo Dish
17th Century Shoki-Imari Blue and White Egret Dish
17th Century Shoki-Imari Blue and White Porcelain Warbler Dish
17th Century Shoki-Imari Blue and White Moulded Bamboo Dish