A Japanese porcelain Dutch-decorated square section sake bottle last quarter 17th century

A Japanese porcelain Dutch-decorated square section sake bottle last quarter 17th century, originally left in the white and later-enamelled in the Kakiemon manner with long-tailed birds on and above flowering chrysanthemum, a crane beneath other flowering branches, and two varied panels of vases of flowers and a low table, the shoulders with a red and green flowerhead and scroll border, 16.5cm.

Provenance: the Helen Espir Collection, no. 482. Purchased from James Norbury, January 1996.

Illustrated: Helen Espir, European Decoration on Oriental Porcelain, p.105, pl.39.

While based on the Japanese Kakiemon enamel palette, the addition of purple and the tone of the colours is more evocative of European enamel preferences.