Lot 1383. A rare blue and white water jar and cover, mizusashi, 17th century; 18¼ in. (21 cm.) high. Estimate USD 12,000 - USD 18,000. Price realised USD 35,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2013.

The deep, slightly tapering sides are reverse-decorated with two registers of lotus scroll separated by a basketweave band, with boys at play amidst the stems of the lower register. The flat cover is decorated with further lotus meander encircling a band of overlapping petals surrounding a cockerel-form handle.

Provenance: Christie's New York, 21 March 2002, lot 186.
Imperial Oriental Art, New York, December 2002.

Literature: Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, no. 875.

Note: This freshwater jar, or mizusashi, is used in chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony) to supply water for replenishing the teapot and rinsing the tea bowl. As it is of large size and is prominently placed it is designed to blend in with the other utensil.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 19 - 20 September 2013