Porcelain handled jug

From Japan
Edo period, AD 1660-70

This elegant handled ewer has a design of stylized plum flowers among cluds in blue, yellow and red enamels painted over an opaque white glaze. It dates to the early period of Japanese porcelain design when ceramics with an overglaze enamel style thought to be influenced by Chinese Swatow ware were produced mainly for export to the West

L. Smith, V. Harris and T. Clark, Japanese art: masterpieces in (London, The British Museum Press, 1990)