Date: Kyoto, second half of the 17th century

Wood, black lacquer, sprinkled gold (hiramaki-e, takamakie-e, kakiwari, tsukegaki)

Measurement: 63.4 cm (high), 40.3 cm (diameter)

Only five jars of this type rated “among the world’s most unique pieces” are known. One pair is in the Kynzvart castle, Czech Republic and was probably acquired by Philipp Emmerich von Metternich as part of the remodelling of the castle in 1682-91. Another nearly identical pair has been sold at Sotheby‘, New York in 2012. As in the case of the two pairs the jar is decorated in the ‚pictorial‘ manner of the late 17th century. The four cartouches on the body of the jar in the shape of Buddhist auras show rocky landscapes with a waterfall, pavilions, pine trees, two pheasants with a chrysanthemum bush and Chinese lions. The lid of the jar is missing.

Provenance: German private collection

Published: Papist-Matsuo, Antje: Brückenschlag von Ost nach West – Japanischer Exportlack aus vier Jahrhunderten. Museum für Lackkunst, Münster p.64–65, No. 17.
Exhibited: Museum für Lackkunst, Münster, April – July 2016; on loan to the Berlin Museum of Asian Art from 2013 to 2016
Condition: overall good condition