A JAPANESE HIRADO OKIMONO OF A HORSE

A JAPANESE HIRADO OKIMONO OF A HORSE

MEIJI PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY

Recumbent and with the front legs tucked underneath its body, the pupils painted black and with details rendered in underglaze blue to contrast with the white-glazed surface, the underside with a nine-character seal mark, 22cm.

A white horse is an auspicious animal in Japan as it symbolises the sun. Seeing one at the beginning of the new year is a sign of luck and good health.