Powder colored large tea vase Qing Dynasty/1616-1911CE

The powder painting technique is a special ceramic decoration technique developed in China during the Qing Dynasty, combining traditional Eastern and Western glaze decoration techniques. The characteristic of this technique is that it uses both water-soluble paint (Eastern style “suizuri”) and oil-based paint (Western style “oil-solution”) to color one work. However, since water and oil do not mix, these paints cannot be used at the same time. Therefore, I proceed with the work while alternately coloring and firing. For example, after coloring with water-based paint, it is fired once, then painted with oil-based paint, and fired again. By repeating this process over and over again, an elaborate finish is achieved.

During the Qing Dynasty, Christian missionaries introduced Western techniques to China, and along with it, Western-style glaze decoration techniques also entered China. The powder painting technique is characterized by the fact that not only the drawing technique but also the firing technique and manufacturing process are extremely complicated, and as a result, it requires a high level of skill. In addition, during the Edo period in Japan, this technique was not introduced from the West due to the isolation policy and the oppression of Christianity. For this reason, there are no traces of this technique being used in existing ceramics from the Edo period.

This product is a large tea container with a height of 30 cm, and the entire surface is covered with fine powder. A type of court painting, it depicts a child playing in nature and a woman watching over him. It is in good condition and can be used to store tea leaves. A wooden box is included.