WITHOUT RESERVE: A JAPANESE KAKIEMON-STYLE ENAMELLED VESSEL

A JAPANESE KAKIEMON-STYLE ENAMELLED VESSEL
THE PORCELAIN EDO PERIOD (1615-1868), LATE 17TH CENTURY

Of tall square-section form, the top ridged and with a circular aperture; the sides decorated with a man resting, smoking a pipe beside bundles of twigs, a large rock beside him issuing many flowers and leaves; the other faces with birds in flight, further flowers, one lion dog and a phoenix; all rendered in colourful enamels, some added later; the base with a label reading 'Stockspring Antiques, The Dragon and the Quail', 18.2cm.

WITHOUT RESERVE

Provenance: from the Helen Espir Collection. Helen Espir is a renowned collector and connoisseur of Chinese and Japanese ceramics, with a particular interest in European-decorated pieces. Her book 'European Decoration on Oriental Porcelain, 1700-1830' is viewed as the reference on the subject. Woolley & Wallis offered the collection for sale on 12th November 2014, in a dedicated auction which attracted buyers from around the world.

Exhibited: Stockspring Antiques, The Dragon and the Quail, London, 2000, n.37.

The vessel is probably adapted from a tokkuri (sake bottle), or a water bucket.