Japanese Moriage Vase

This Vase stands 12" tall and is unmarked.

Unmarked Moriage ware

In the tradition of the taste for Orientalism (A quality, mannerism, or custom specific to or characteristic of the Orient) or Japonisme ( The Japanese Influence on Western Art Since 1858) in the latter part of the 19th Century, moriage vases are a good example of the form and the style of the time. Usually hand painted and gilded, these pieces are a prime form of the decorative arts of the late 19th Century or Victorian era.

Moriage is usually unmarked. Trained art historians and museum professionals can identify unmarked pieces.

History and Methods of Moriage ware

China was known by the generic name of Paris and Old Paris was made in several Parisian factories during the 18th and 19th centuries. The items made of Paris (porcelain, yet called China or Paris) were decorated with floral bouquets and raised banding or wet slipware applications. Japanese ceramic wares called moriage were pieces decorated with applied slip work designs.

Several methods were used to achieve this relief effect. The decorative elements may have been designed separate from the body of the piece and applied to an existing piece or carefully piped on in narrow ribbons of clay. The piece's designs could have been "slip-trailed" or built up by the act of brushing on successive layers of liquified slip to gain the desired effect.

Highly stylized flowers, variations of pastel colors, some gilding or gold paint, and various applied slip decorations are all characteristics of moriage pieces. The moriage style indicates that the piece referenced the late 19th century interest in Japonisme and the worldwide decorative art interest in the exotic.