Painter, art collector and businessman Hendrik Willem Mesdag collected a range of Japanese decorative art: everything from samurai swords to Satsuma earthenware vases. Discover the highlights from this collection.
Japanese decorative art
Dish with scenes of a porcelain factory
Arita, ca. 1850-1875. Maker unknown
Pair of cranes
Japan, second half 19th century. Maker unknown
Vase with scenes from the story of the warrior Endo Morito
Kyoto, second half 19th century. Maker unknown
Pair of vases with relief decoration of hydrangeas and waterfowl
Japan, second half 19th century, Miyakawa Kōzan (1842 - 1916)
Bowl decorated with fish and a dragon
Japan, second half 19th century. Maker unknown
Pair of vases with relief decoration of religious scenes and lotus flowers
Japan, 19th century. Maker unknown
Dagger with relief decoration of a crane hunt
Japan, second half 19th century. Maker unknown
Tea bowl
Japan, c. 1818-1842, Raku Tannyu (1795 - 1854)
Pair of vases with relief decoration of dragons
Japan, 19th century. Maker unknown
Dish decorated with seated Ōta Dōkan and castle towers in the background
Japan, second half 19th century. Maker unknown
Samurai sword
Japan, 1855 Chōunsai Koretoshi (1895)
Sacrificial vase with relief decoration of dragons
Japan, second half 19th century. Date unknown
The collection online
Delve into the online collection and discover more Japanese decorative art