Japonism (NGV)

Japonism refers to the huge influence of Japanese art on European artists and designers in the later part of the nineteenth century. The European designers embraced the way Japanese art works conveyed an abstract approach to line and colour and the regard they had for the simple beauty of nature.

This pair of fireplace slabs was manufactured my Minton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, made in 1879. They are a part of the NGV's ceramic and glass collection. They use motifs that would have been drawn from nature or Japanese textiles. Such as the depiction of the cranes flying and the cherry blossom tree, both in the distinct centre 'panel' of the slab. The Japanese textile motifs are evident in the top and bottom sections of the slabs in the dark blue hexagons outline in gold, with a small flower in the centre of each. The slabs create a very peaceful composition, using a limited blue and gold colour palette. The eye is drawn to the centre image of the birds which is emphasised by the 'fold' which is patterned in blue stripes and gold swirls. The whole composition has a very graceful feel.

Minton Fireplace Slabs (1879)