A JAPANESE ARITA BLUE AND WHITE EWEREDO PERIOD, 17TH CENTURYThe bulbous body with a tall neck and elegantly curved handle, decorated in underglaze blue with three shaped panels depicting figures in mountainous river landscapes on a ground of karakusa scrolls, the neck and handle with formal flowers and further scrolling tendrils, 23.5cm. 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. 17 no.49, for a comparable ewer. Also the British Museum, acc. n. Franks.1693.+, for another example. This type of pattern displays similarities with Japanese wares decorated in the 'Van Frytom' style produced as export ware for the Netherlands.