Pair of Japanese imari baluster jars and covers, circa 1700, richly decorated in underglaze cobalt blue, overglaze enamels and gilt, the bodies each with large alternating panels containing either crane with pine and plum, or peony and foliage issuing from rockwork, divided by slender columns of iron-red with flowerheads and leaf design, descending from large lappets of underglaze blue foliate scroll with small stylised lotus heads; the wide shoulders with large ogee-shaped cartouches containing either a large lotus head and lotus bud amongst foliage in iron-red and gilt, or lotus with dianthus, predominantly in underglaze blue but with gilt and red highlights, the collar with abstract pattern of clouds and half ruyi-heads against an iron-red ground, the tapering foot with further ruyi-shaped panels containing alternating floral designs above a narrow band of red scrollwork; the lids with a further band of clouds and ruyi-heads, and large ogee-shaped panels containing lotus heads in gilt and underglaze blue, surmounted by large finials in the shape of a hawk perching upon rockwork.
Dimensions:
Height with covers: 65cm. (25 1/4in.); height without covers: 41cm. (16 1/8 in.)
