Kakiemon ware lidded jar

The Japanese first began to create porcelain in the early 17th century in the Arita area of the Saga domain (currently Saga Prefecture). Techniques were based on both Korean and Chinese prototypes. The painting of overglaze enamel colours over a porcelain ceramic body was first introduced in the mid 1640s. In the 1670-90s, overglaze enamels were taken to the height of perfection by the creation of Kakiemon style ware at the Nangawara kiln group, which included the Kakiemon kiln where this jar was made.

Kakiemon style ware is characterized by refined clear glaze applied over a creamy white body (nigoshide) that is fired in a reducing atmosphere in the kiln. Against this background polychrome overglaze enamel designs are applied with greater effect. Bright reds, greens, blues and yellows are commonly employed.

Kakiemon style ware was first made by Sakaida Kizaemon (1596–1666). He developed a distinctive orange-red enamel, the colour of a persimmon (Japanese: kaki) and subsequently received the name of Kakiemon. More than three hundred years later, Sakaida Kakiemon XV (born 1968) is still producing the distinctive Kakiemon style porcelain in Arita, Saga Prefecture, Northern Kyūshū.

With the decline of the Chinese Ming dynasty (in about AD 1660) Japan took over as the main supplier of export porcelain to Europe, in a trade monopolised by the Dutch East India Company. Objects like this lidded jar came to ornament the stately homes and palaces of Europe, such as Hampton Court. Many copies were made at European kilns in the eighteenth century.