Gold and coloured lacquer sake pourer in the form of a boy attendant

From Japan
Edo period, 18th-19th century AD

The figure forms a bottle which can be filled by removing the boy's head. The sake (rice wine) is then poured through the bottle that he holds in his hands.

The humorous application of such fine quality lacquerware is characteristic of the pleasure-loving society of Japan in the Edo period (AD 1600-1868).