A RARE JAPANESE IMARI FIGURE OF A RECLINING BIJIN C. 1700 Painted in coloured enamels and gilt

A RARE JAPANESE IMARI FIGURE OF A RECLINING BIJIN

C. 1700

Painted in coloured enamels and gilt, the beauty rests on one hand whilst holding a vase in the other, her kimono decorated with quatrefoil patterns, stylised birds and paulownia leaves reminiscent of the Imperial crest, 24cm.

See B Davies, Barry Davies Oriental Art, Ko-Imari Porcelain from the Collection of Oliver Impey, p.202 fig.120 for a similar figure holding a candlestick. Also, Christie's, London, 16 May 2012, lot 232 for a pair of comparable bijin described as inkwells.