Antique Chinese & Japanese PorcelainEuropean Ceramics & Works of Art
Japanese tokkuru, late Genroku period (1688-1704) of slightly tapering square-section form with sloping shoulders and a short upright neck, each side with an underglaze blue border decorated with gilt floral meanders containing two alternating scenes of a scholar standing before a waterfall under a maple tree, and the other of a walled path amidst flowering branches, a pine tree and bamboo, the sloping neck in iron-red with alternating cartouches containing a butterfly and a stylised flower head, the base of the neck with a chyrsanthemum flower head at each corner on underglaze blue and gilt, the neck decorated with gilt floral meanders,
Dimensions:
Height: 8 1/4in. (21 cm.
Notes:
By 1688, Japan had enjoyed over eighty years of 'pax Tokugawa' - the peace after the installment of the Tokugawa shogunate at the turn of the century. This stability was reflected in the continued expansion of cities, a burgeoning commercial economy and flourishing of the arts. The name 'genroku' translates to 'original happiness' and was clearly chosen by the ruling powers to promote the success of their ongoing rule.
Guest & Gray 58 Davies StreetLondonW1K 5LP
