Which colours and design features are typical of Kakiemon porcelain?

Kakiemon porcelain, a renowned style of Japanese pottery developed by the Sakaida family in Arita, is characterized by specific aesthetic and structural features.

Typical Colours

The Kakiemon palette is distinct and easily recognized, consisting of:
* Iron red
* Light blue
* Bluish green
* Yellow
* Occasional use of gilding12

Many examples also feature a characteristic chocolate-brown rim.2

Design Features

• Composition: Themes are markedly asymmetrical, with a significant portion of the white porcelain surface left undecorated.12
• Shapes: Dishes, bowls, and vases frequently appear in octagonal, hexagonal, or square shapes, which were preferred because they were less prone to warping in the kiln than circular forms.12
• Motifs: Famous decorative devices include the "quail pattern" (sprigs of foliage with little quails), the "Tiger and Wheatsheaf," and the "Hob in the Well".1
• Technique: The style is defined by the use of overglaze colours, a technique perfected by Sakaida Kakiemon I during the 17th century.12