A JAPANESE KAKIEMON WATER DROPPER

A JAPANESE KAKIEMON WATER DROPPER, SUITEKI

C.1690

Modelled as a crouching lion dog, shishi, the mythical beast with its head raised and painted in red, blue, yellow, green and black enamels, with a small aperture to its back and with the mouth open, the flat base with gauze marks, 8.4cm.

Cf. Courtly Display, The Somlyo Collection of Japanese ceramics, Christie's, London Exhibition 12-19 December 2015, p.34 no.7, for a related pair of shishi.