A RARE ENSEMBLE OF A LARGE IMARI VASE AND COVER ON AN ANCIENT HARDWOOD PEDESTAL Japan, 18^th-19^th century, late Edo (1615-1868) to early Meiji period (1868-1912)

The baluster sides rising from a slightly tapered foot to a straight cylindrical neck, the domed cover with a broad flat rim and surmounted by a gilt-enameled shishi. Well painted in gilt, underglaze-blue, and bright enamels with shaped reserves enclosing shishi amid peony, flowering prunus, and a Ho-o bird in flight, all within a terraced garden with a shishi on a high table, pine and prunus, rocks, and chrysanthemum.

The design is repeated on the cover, against an elaborate ground with alternating diapered boders. The neck with a band of lotus and linked cash. The foot with evenly spaced stylized floral sprays.

The vase is supported on an elaborate and fitted dark hardwood pedestal raised on four reishi-form feet and carved with lappets, bosses, a fluted design, and leaves. Most likely of Austrian origin, the base dates from the second half the 19^th century.

HEIGHT 135 cm (total), 89 cm (the vase and cover), and 46 cm (the pedestal)

Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear and firing flaws, including manufacturing-inherent warping to the lid. The pedestal with wear and natural age cracks, traces of use and small losses.
Provenance: The property of an aristocratic Austrian family, by repute acquired between 1870 and 1880. Thence by descent within the same family. The ancient pedestal was by repute commissioned by a member of the family in the late 19^th century. Also by repute, this ensemble of vase, cover and pedestal was once part of a pair, the counterpart having been destroyed during a bombing raid in spring 1945.

The present vase and cover, with its fitted wooden pedestal, itself over 100 years old, with its imposing size and superior state of preservation, must be considered exceedingly rare in this overall superb condition.