This colourful ewer in flattened-pear shape follows a form commonly made in copper in the Middle East, and so was likely made for the Islamic market. The blue, red, and gold colours are a hallmark of pottery made at Arita, Japan, in the late 17th century.The export of porcelain was banned in China at the beginning of the Qing dynasty, and Japanese potters stepped in to fill the gap in supply. Customers grew to like the distinctive style produced there so much that Chinese potters copied the style after production resumed. This ewer shows the wide appeal of the designs.
