Antique Edo Period Japanese Arita Porcelain Lidded Vase, 1720

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A highly decorative early 18th-century Japanese Arita porcelain baluster vase with its cover and a later stand, representing an increasingly … Read more A highly decorative early 18th-century Japanese Arita porcelain baluster vase with its cover and a later stand, representing an increasingly rare surviving example of early Japanese export porcelain. The vase and cover are richly decorated in underglaze cobalt blue and iron red, complemented by fine gilt detailing. The composition features stylised flowers and elegant trailing vines together with an unusual inverted Ho-ho bird. The Ho-ho is a mythical bird deeply rooted in East Asian tradition and is sometimes compared with the Western phoenix. Its appearance, together with the surrounding botanical motifs, gives the decoration considerable symbolic character within the context of Japanese decorative art. The underside of the vase bears an incense-burner symbol, a motif also employed in Chinese ceramics during the Ming period and traditionally associated with the connection between heaven and earth. Japanese Arita porcelain became particularly important to the European export market during the second half of the 17th century. Following the decline of Chinese porcelain exports associated with the transition from the Ming to the Qing dynasty, Dutch merchants increasingly turned to Japan to satisfy European demand for Asian porcelain. The kilns around Arita responded by producing porcelain for export, initially drawing considerable inspiration from Chinese ceramics before developing the distinctive Japanese decorative vocabulary that became highly prized by European collectors. Japanese production remained considerably smaller in scale than its Chinese counterpart, contributing to the exclusivity and expense of these wares in the European market. with its elegant baluster form, vibrant palette, extensive gilding and distinctive Ho-ho bird decoration, this is a particularly decorative example of early 18th-century Japanese Arita porcelain. Date of Manufacture Early 18th Century Dimensions Height including cover and stand: 24 cm (9.5 inches) Please note: The stand is a later addition. See less