Japanese Arita Ware Blossom Watch

Description

A beautiful Aritaware porcelain plate in the Museum’s collection, decorated with underglaze blue, dates to the mid-Edo period (1615–1868). Its exquisite design features a simple yet precisely painted radiating flower, unfolding with weblike precision. Our watch has been adapted from this elegant motif.

Resin case. Resin link bracelet. Ceramic face, made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. Quartz movement. Case: 1 3/4'' diam.; inner circumference: 7 1/2''L (adjustable).

Art History

During the Edo period (1615–1868), Japan was unified under the strict control of the Tokugawa shogunate, which controlled access to the outside world. In 1639, less than a century after Europeans had first found their way to Japan, the shogun instituted a policy of national isolation. Dutch merchants, however, were permitted to maintain residences near Nagasaki and to continue trade with Japan. Responding to European demand, the Dutch encouraged the Japanese porcelain industry to fill the gap left by China, where porcelain production was in decline. That Japanese export porcelain is commonly referred to as Aritaware.