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Ceremonial Japanese Ships on River – Hand-Colored Print from 18th Century
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£85.13
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€96
€12020% Off
CA$156.61
CA$195.7620% Off
A$174.64
A$218.3020% Off
CHF 91.12
CHF 113.9020% Off
MX$2,142.87
MX$2,678.5920% Off
NOK 1,159.80
NOK 1,449.7420% Off
SEK 1,098.88
SEK 1,373.6020% Off
DKK 730.81
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About the Item
Boats in this engraving are intended to represent Japanese ships, particularly ceremonial or diplomatic vessels from the Edo period—but as interpreted by European artists of the late 18th century. Here's why that interpretation holds weight:
Visual Clues Supporting a Japanese Context:
1. Ornamentation and structure:
The boats in the lower scene especially feature highly decorative canopies, banners, and curved prows, which resemble Japanese yakatabune (pleasure barges) or ships used in formal processions.
2. Flags and symbols:
While the flags are stylized, the one with what appears to be a mon (crest) flanked by floral or sunburst motifs could be a Westernized take on a daimyō or shogunate crest. The European artists often approximated these without total accuracy.
3. Landscape elements:
The hilly, lush terrain with closely clustered buildings beside water could resemble Japanese river towns or even views around inland seas like the Seto Inland Sea (Setonaikai), though again, this is likely filtered through a European lens.
4. Historical context:
European publications of the late 18th century, especially encyclopedic works like Bertuch’s *Bilderbuch für Kinder*, frequently included exoticized or romanticized depictions of Asian cultures, especially Japan, which was still very mysterious to many Europeans due to its closed borders during the Edo period (sakoku). Artists often worked from travelers’ accounts, maps, and second-hand sketches.
Why it may not be accurate but still Japanese-inspired:
- The costumes and faces of the figures on the boat look distinctly European, which might reflect either:
- European delegates visiting Japan (like the Dutch VOC envoys to Dejima), or
- Artistic license by a European illustrator unfamiliar with accurate Japanese attire.
- The flags and decorations are hybrid in style—some elements resemble European heraldry, while others have a hint of Asian symbolism. That blending was very common in Enlightenment-era didactic illustrations.
Conclusion:
This engraving depicts Japanese ships—or a European fantasy of Japanese ceremonial boats—as seen from a late 18th-century European perspective. This interpretation fits perfectly with the goals of Bertuch’s Bilderbuch für Kinder, which sought to visually educate European children about the wider world, often through imaginative renderings.
- Dimensions:Height: 9.45 in (24 cm)Width: 7.68 in (19.5 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:Paper,Engraved
- Period:1790-1799
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1790
- Condition:Fair condition with vibrant hand-coloring. Minor age toning at margins, slight edge wear from prior binding. No major tears or stains. A well-preserved original engraving from the late 18th to early 19th century.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-043411stDibs: LU3054344553122
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