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Japanese Kraak Bowl.. more pictures

by Elizabeth
(Seattle)

Thanks for your earlier response. I followed up and looked at the Chinese Kraak motifs... and actually learned something useful. Thanks for the references. I am attaching a few more pictures that got lost last time I posted. The designs on my bowl do look just like the Chinese Kraak. Plus I found some Japanese porcelains that have similar patterns. However I cannot find anything with that pinwheel pattern in the center. Is this just some freestyle work or is there an significance. What is your best guess as to the age of this bowl.
When I first got this bowl I thought it could have been Islamic because of the pinwheel pattern. But more than one source pointed me to Japanese.

Comments for Japanese Kraak Bowl.. more pictures

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Approx Date??
by: Elizabeth

Can you or any of your reader give me an estimate on the date of this bowl? I am continuing to research. I think it is an antique based on the foot ring. However I could be way off.
Porcelain patterns
by: Elizabeth

Thank for your follow up and personalized explanation. After I sent the last message I went back and read the history section in your E-Book. The answer was there.
That standards had to be met. Now I am finding that the history of Chinese porcelain is complicated but extremely interesting. Until now I did not realize that the Japanese more-less hijacked the technology from China. I'll never be an expert at identification but love the history history. My goal is to at least be able to go to an estate sale, or thrift store and sort out the junk vs. anything with potential. At the same time realizing that the chances of picking up a thousand year old piece is nil. I'll be happy to be able to score a few items that are a least older than me! ( and not pay too much for it) Besides some things of value don't really have to be ancient to be appreciated due to the effort and artistry involved.
decorations
by: peter

> Was there ever any room for free form?

Yes and no. Originally most production was export driven. That means, it was produced what the customers liked/ordered. But there were also some influences coming from the palace.
With Chinese porcelain the production was a collective effort, which left little room for creativity, until the late 19th century.The painting of a decoration could easily require three, four, or even more porelain painters to work on the same object. Each one would only do part of the work, it is not that one was going to do the whole thing.
question about patterns
by: Elizabeth

I was wondering why Asian porcelain designs are so true to the era. Was it driven by what was popular or was there a mandate to have specific designs handed down by the emperor for that era. Was there ever any room for free form?
Japanese Bowl
by: Elizabeth

OK. I see what you are saying. So it is that some of the elements are copied from that era. I guess I need to figure out if it is worth getting an appraisal. But before I spend money for that I need to at least get an idea if it is a least 100 years old or modern. The darkening on the bottom makes it look old. There are are a few pitting spots.
bowl
by: peter

I didn't mean it IS a Kraak pattern. It isn't, It just uses one of the designs but overall copies the Lingzhi pattern of Chinese porcelain.
Probably, your pattern does not exist in Chinese porcelain. Japanese or Chinese is decided by the bottom, not the decoration.

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