An Old Hakeme Karatsu Tea Bowl with Red Lacquer Repairs
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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Tea Articles: Pre 1900: Item # 1355987
Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Tea Articles: Pre 1900: Item # 1355987
Please refer to our stock # TRC1655 when inquiring.
Sold, Thank You!
Sold, Thank You!
Surely an extraordinary confluence of circumstances must have come into alignment in order to bring this remarkable composition into existence. Done in the Korai style—referring to the heavy influence from Korean forms and glazing—this exquisite Edo period Karatsu-ware tea bowl features a white stripe running horizontally along the outer surface of the bowl known as Hakeme. This type of white slip brushing serves as a high-contrast background for the iron spotting and pigmentation brought out through intense firing.
The traditional red lacquer or “urushi” seen here is the base resin used in traditional gold repairs (kintsugi). In this case, the artisan decided to forego the outer layer of gold or silver in favor of the natural vermilion color of the resin, which contrasts nicely with this light-colored composition. When viewing old antique gold repairs one can often observe places where the gold has worn away over time, exposing this type of red (or sometimes black) resin underneath. It is somewhat unorthodox, however, to repair a bowl using only the resin, foregoing the application of the outer gilded layer. The final effect is that the Korean form and glaze, the white contrast with dark pigmentation, and the bold style of repair all come together in a natural and effortless way to produce a quite unique and impactful work.
In fine antique condition, this piece is 4.5 inches in diameter (11.5 cm) and stands 3 inches tall (7.5 cm). It comes in an old kiri wood box and has a blue protective cloth and a smaller cloth used for cleaning. International shipping and insurance included in the price.
Surely an extraordinary confluence of circumstances must have come into alignment in order to bring this remarkable composition into existence. Done in the Korai style—referring to the heavy influence from Korean forms and glazing—this exquisite Edo period Karatsu-ware tea bowl features a white stripe running horizontally along the outer surface of the bowl known as Hakeme. This type of white slip brushing serves as a high-contrast background for the iron spotting and pigmentation brought out through intense firing.
The traditional red lacquer or “urushi” seen here is the base resin used in traditional gold repairs (kintsugi). In this case, the artisan decided to forego the outer layer of gold or silver in favor of the natural vermilion color of the resin, which contrasts nicely with this light-colored composition. When viewing old antique gold repairs one can often observe places where the gold has worn away over time, exposing this type of red (or sometimes black) resin underneath. It is somewhat unorthodox, however, to repair a bowl using only the resin, foregoing the application of the outer gilded layer. The final effect is that the Korean form and glaze, the white contrast with dark pigmentation, and the bold style of repair all come together in a natural and effortless way to produce a quite unique and impactful work.
In fine antique condition, this piece is 4.5 inches in diameter (11.5 cm) and stands 3 inches tall (7.5 cm). It comes in an old kiri wood box and has a blue protective cloth and a smaller cloth used for cleaning. International shipping and insurance included in the price.
