Sturdily potted, the pear-shaped body supported on a short tapered foot, raising to a tall neck with a garlic-head mouth and upright mouth rim. The body boldly painted in deep tones of cobalt-blue with five-clawed dragons pursuing a 'flaming pearl', below a border of decorative pattern at the shoulder, the slightly waisted neck painted with flowers, a band of floral scroll encircling the mouth. With Japanese wood box. PROVENANCE: Hirano Kotoken, Tokyo. H49.8cm