A Celadon Jarlet

This small celadon jarlet is one of many found here in South East Asia. They are reasonably priced and highly collectible.They were export pieces previously laden with medicines, balms and expensive oils. According to the writings of Roxanna M. Brown and the artifacts of Sten Sjostrand, these ceramics were exported from Southern China during the Song to the Interregnum period. According to Sten Sjostrand in his site, he stated that “their low-fired celadon glaze consists of 1.2-1.5% iron oxides that turn green during reduction-atmosphere firing.  If sufficient temperature was not achieved, the iron oxide would accumulate on the surface in the form of iron crystals.” Such examples turned out in vast quantities in Sjostrand’s salvage of the Royal Nanhai wreck (1400-1500). And here in the Philippines, they're quite common among collectors and antique shops.

As for the retail price? Cheap to quite reasonable. Collectivity? Highly. Imagine if you have a wall or cabinet full of these little morsels of history.  It would definitely be the highlight of your home.

Antique Decanters

As long as I could remember, my mother has these three antique glass decanters. The other two I purchased from my local antique dealer.  Anyway, these wine/sherry decanters are a mystery to me.  Are they Spanish in origin? Central European perhaps? The green one is in fact uranium glass. I checked it with a portable black light. Pity it has a hole on the side.

One (see 1st photo) has a YOMEIGO marking on the base. It must have been a Japanese manufacturer from the Taisho or Showa period.  The other one has a HERMANN - HAMBURG mark presumably Germanic in origin.

These bottles must have been imported during the end of the 19th century all the way to the 1950s, many from the prewar period.  I surmise these were the tipple containers of choice for the bourgeoisie (in Filipino, "burgis") especially during the heyday of the American colonial period (1898-1946) wherein the middle and upper class Filipinos were able to enjoy imported goods in such unhindered quantities.

If you can imagine hacienderos in tuxedos in their Art Deco manors quaffing their vinos and brandy de jerez and smoking Tabacalera cigars during the annual cotillion watching Filipinas in butterfly-sleeved ternos, then you can imagine how these decanters were used during those times. Think Oro, Plata, Mata.

This is the uranium decanter in the collection.  This must have been produced during the 20s and 30s during the era of Depression glass because uranium or vaseline glass virtually disappeared at the start of WWII.

As for the value of these decanters, there's no hard and fast rule since there's barely a club that specializes on this type of artifact. If anyone knows, or would like to offer theirs, send me an email. I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

A Duo of Chinese Brownwares

 

 A few weeks ago, I spotted a couple of Chinese brownwares in a non-descript antique store here in my city.  I knew they were exhibited in a group show a few months back because I recognized them quite easily.  I guess they were not fast movers as compared to modern reproductions and Ming Blue and White wares.  These were more humble in form but contemporary in bearing.  Having blue and whites are great, but they exude an atmosphere of past generations meaning it’s kind of old school and “la Buena familia”.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Ming blue and white export ware, except having so many would make your house look like an old spinster’s closet.  As for brown ware, these have a utilitarian appeal.  Monochromatic in palette, simple in design and yet collecting these would make any kitchen or sala (living or receiving room) look contemporary.  If you have an apartment, they would look stunning especially if you have a grouping of small pieces be they jarlets, bowls or kendis.  However, if you want a more sophisticated but muted effect, I would suggest you delve into Celadon wares.

 I worked out a deal with the owner and after receiving discounts I was able to take home these two items.  The jar in question is small brown-glazed artifact, with a rounded rim, with four lugs on the jar’s shoulder.  The body is of course grey stoneware and the bottom is flat and unglazed.   It came from Southern China, probably Guangdong region during the Ming dynasty.  A lot of similar jars were manufactured from that area.  

The second is a brown-glazed covered box which, according to Locsin*, “has decorative patterns traced out with raised lines within an unglazed circular area on the cover.”  He added, “The effect was probably achieved by pressing a mold onto the unfired body.  The bodies are a coarse, buff-colored material.  Decorative motifs vary- phoenix, peony, horse chestnut, chrysanthemum, or geometric patterns.”  It’s nicely done even though there’s a roughness to it.  There’s a chip on the lower lip so I got a big discount.

  

Upon arriving home, I opened my platera of ceramics and placed these two special items onto their permanent positions.  And felt that all is well with the world.

* Leandro V. Locsin, Cecilia Y. Locsin. Oriental Ceramics Discovered in the Philippines. Charles E. Tuttle, 1967