A RARE JAPANESE CELADON-GROUND GOURD EWER EDO PERIOD, C.1660-80 The body decorated in iron-red, cyan, cerulean and black enamels, painted with flowering branches of prunus and bush clover, the spout and handle with further floral motifs and fire wisps, the neck with a band of triangular lappets, 19.2cm. Cf. G Lang, The Wrestling Boys, An exhibition of Chinese and Japanese ceramics from the 16th to the 18th century in the collection at Burghley House, p.28 no.81 for a comparable ewer, one of a pair with Dutch silver-gilt mounts. It is possible that the shape originated from Middle-Eastern vessels such as kendi and so the ewer may have been intended for that market. Enamelled celadon pieces are relatively rare and were produced from an early date in Arita. Several pieces are included in the 18th century collection of King Augustus the Strong of Saxony, in Dresden.