Edo Period Ko-Imari Covered Vase

Japanese porcelain covered vase, c. 1740.
 
Dimensions: Approximately 24½” tall.
 
Decoration:
The neck of the vase is decorated with a tortoise shell diaper pattern of red and blue hexagons containing a gilt flower. 
 
The body of the vase is primarily decorated with an overall floral design with Japanese phoenixes or hoo birds. At the shoulder are decorative ribbons and three cartouches containing images of a Buddhist lion (“Shishi”).
 
The foot of the vase is decorated with a simple scroll pattern.
 
The lid has a Buddhist lion finial.  The lion appears to be perched on a tree trunk and is holding a ball in its mouth. 
 
The body of the lid is decorated with the same design as the body of the vase, and the rim of the lid has a geometric design that is the same as the neck of the vase.
 
The base is unmarked.
 
This palette is known a three-color Imari, underglaze blue with overglaze red enamels and gilding, and is the earliest form of Imari decoration.
 
The design is known as brocade (“nishiki-de”) and was very popular in Europe at the time. It generally consists of gold arabesques on underglaze blue with the addition of overglaze colors.
 
References:
Gansu Provincial Museum ed., in “Imari, Japanese Porcelain of the Edo Period Exported to Europe”.
Impey, “Japanese Export Porcelain”.
Jorg, “Fine & Curious, Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections”.
P.L.J. Arts, “Japanese Porcelain”.
Reichel, “Early Japanese Porcelain”.
Shimura, “The History of Imari, The Symbols and Mysteries of Antique Japanese Porcelain”.
New Orleans Museum of Art, “Imari, Japanese Porcelain for European Palaces”.
The Kyushu Ceramic Museum, “Complete Catalog of Shibata Collection”.
 
Condition: Minor glaze imperfections and minor loss of enamel and gilding, chip on footrim; otherwise in excellent condition consistent with age and usage. Please examine the photos; they are part of the description.
 
Please note that this is an extremely large and heavy item to ship.