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Subject:Re: Re; Martaban Moriage Jar
Posted By: Bill H Tue, Jul 16, 2019
Martaban jars generally refer to antique Chinese-made ceramic storage jars used to export foodstuffs to Southeast Asian mainland countries and the Philippines. The name came from the port of Martaban in Burma, which became associated with this type of jar.
Your large bottle is Japanese and appears possibly to be terracotta, which I've seen in smaller Japanese carved and occasionally painted pottery items called "tokoname" (see link). However, I've never seen anything used to ship preserved foodstuffs like Martabans that were so painstakingly decorated. Makes me wonder if your jar might have been used as a decanter in a Japanese specialty wine shop, which typically sold to customers who brought in smaller empty bottles from home for refilling. The decorative theme of the Rakan (Japanese for subordinate Buddhistic deities known as Arhat), particularly the Dragon-taming and Tiger-taming Rakans, would be a good advertisement for the kind of kick associated with some wines.
Good luck,
Bill H.
URL Title :Painted Tokoname
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