A Very Finely Painted and Potted Export Wine Ewer of European form, made in Arita for export by the Dutch East India Company, 
painted in the Chinese Transitional Style
 
Chokichidani kiln, Arita, Hizen province, Japan
early Edo period, Kanbun era (1660-1673)
circa 1665
 
Measuring 21.3 cm 8.42 inches in height
 
This ovoid-shpaed export wine ewer - with its form based on German stoneware, its distinctively Japanese spreading takefushi (bamboo-noded) foot, its bold painting adopted directly from the Chinese Transitional style of the late Ming Dynasty, and pierced loop handle destined for European silver-mounts - stands as a testament to the highly active trade-routes of the 17th century. Created in Japan, of European shape, painted in the Chinese style and ordered by the Dutch East India company for shipment to Amsterdam; this piece is truly representative of historical trade and cross-cultural influence.
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The straight neck painted with a band of foliage, the sides painted in fine underglaze cobalt blue tones with a continuous scene of scholars conversing in a terraced garden among willow, pine and a waterfall, flowering sprays of lotus to the neck, moulded circles around the foot, with some kiln-grit adhering to the outside and inside of the foot. The loop handle pierced, but unmounted.
 
Jorg describes the takefushi shape of the bulging foot as spreading and then turning sharply inwards - a uniquely Japanese feature known as 'bamboo-noded'.