Plate with Japanese court woman and birds

Unknown

1710–30 · Hard-paste porcelain painted with colored enamels over transparent glaze (Hizen ware; Imari type) · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The design of an elegant court woman in a garden is one of the few export motifs that is uniquely Japanese. This design was inspired by the fifth chapter of the famed Tale of Genji, in which the young protagonist peeks at a lady as she is releasing a bird from a cage. Written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu (ca. 973–1014), this novel recounts the life, tumultuous loves, and caddish behavior of Prince Genji.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1710–30

Medium

Hard-paste porcelain painted with colored enamels over transparent glaze (Hizen ware; Imari type)

Culture

Japanese, for European market

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

The Hans Syz Collection, Gift of Stephan B. Syz and John D. Syz, 1995