A Large Early 18th Century Japanese Enamelled Blue and White Porcelain Model of a Bijin.

A Large Japanese Imari Porcelain Model of a Bijin, Arita Kilns c.1700 – 1730. Depictions of such Bijin, or beautiful ladies, were popular in Japan at this time. Ukiyo Ningyo (dolls of courtesans) became popular as well as the new art form of ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world.” Ukiyo-e woodblock prints showed various aspects of the pleasure quarters that flourished during this period, including courtesans and onnagata, male kabuki actors who played female roles. The fashions of the day were typically shaped by the workers of the pleasure quarters, and this figure’s attire is probably also styled on such a model. Christian Jorg explains in his excellent book “The function of these large figures is unclear. They were probably considered as exotic, decorative items in the West, and must have reminded people of the Chinese ‘Long Eliza’ so often depicted on Kangxi export porcelain. The first shipment to the Netherlands in 1659 already included ‘100 various dolls” (‘Fine and Curious, Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections’, see ‘References’). It seems this shipment and a subsequent delivery in 1665 were all small figures, therefore most figures would been bought privately as part of the ‘private trade’ concession. This makes sense as most Chinese porcelain figures in the 18th century was private trade. Jorge goes on to say “Amazingly, standing figures were rarely copied in European ceramics. In fact, only one small faience example is known thus far”. This is also illustrated in ‘Fine and Curious, Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections’ and can be seen in Groningen, see below. See Below For More Photographs and Information.