A rare pair of 17th century Japanese Kakiemon ewers
decorated in underglaze blue and overglaze enamels with a continuous lakeside landscape and pavillions
 
Arita, Early Enamelled Ware, Kakiemon type, Hizen province, Japan
Early Edo period (17th century)
circa 1660-80
 
Each of ovoid form on footring with tall tapering cylindrical neck, cup-shaped mouth with pinched spout and curved handle pierced for metalwork mounts. Some kiln-grit adhering to footrims.
 
Decorated in iron-red, brilliant green, black enamels and underglaze blue depicting a continuous scene featuring a lakeside landscape with pavilions by the shore amongst foliage, rockwork, and stylised clouds, the neck with ascending sprays of bellflower beneath a border of ruyi heads, the pierced loop handle with karakusa scrolls in underglaze blue and red enamel. 
The shoulder and foot encircled with a double blue line; a single red line beneath the landscape scene.
 
Condition:
Ewer A - very minor chip to rim of mouth; professionally restored; otherwise excellent condition.
Ewer B - restored section to rim of mouth; overpainted (see images).
 
Each ewer approx. 9 ¼ in. (23.5 cm.) high
 
According to Christian J.A. Jorg 'Fine & Curious: Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections' (2003) page 161, no. 181, "the combination of a Transitional-style landscape in blue with this type of enamelled decoration is very unusual. The enamelling, which occurs in a second firing, is contemporary and fills the space left blank by the painter who worked in underglaze blue. The dark red is comparable to that of the early enamelled group and the piece can be considered a transition between the early enamels and the developing Kakiemon and Imari style."