MEIJI PERIOD, 19TH CENTURYRecumbent and with the front legs tucked underneath its body, the pupils painted black and with details rendered in underglaze blue to contrast with the white-glazed surface, the underside with a nine-character seal mark, 22cm.A white horse is an auspicious animal in Japan as it symbolises the sun. Seeing one at the beginning of the new year is a sign of luck and good health.