Polychrome Japanese Arita porcelain bottle, c. 1850.
 
Dimensions: Approximately 6½” tall.
 
Decoration:
The rim of the mouth has a very narrow red and gold band.
 
The neck is decorated with alternating blue diaper patterns, below which is red band of geometric design.
 
The body is encircled by a well-executed dragon and clouds, all in dark red enamel with gilded highlights. The dragon (“Ryu”) has three claws that is typical of Japanese dragons, unlike Chinese dragons which typically have four, or in the case of Imperial dragons, five claws.
 
Below the dragon and clouds is a large blue enamel band illustrating a version of the “Three Fiends of Winter” pattern, also known as the “Three Friends” or “Sho-Chiku-Bai”, that incorporates a pine tree, a plum tree, and bamboo. 
 
These three plants are associated with winter because the pine tree and the bamboo remain green year-round, and the plum tree is among the first flower in the spring. They represent the attributes of longevity (the pine), scholarly and pure spirit (the plum), and flexibility (the bamboo).
 
The footrim is divided into three shaped feet.
 
The base is bears a pair of artists marks.
 
This type of bottle was used for serving sake and is called a “Tokkuri”.
 
References:
Impey, “Japanese Export Porcelain”.
Jorg, “Fine & Curious, Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections”.
MacGuire, “Four Centuries of Blue & White”.
P.L.J. Arts, “Japanese Porcelain”.
Reichel, “Early Japanese Porcelain”.
Shimura, “The History of Imari, The Symbols and Mysteries of Antique Japanese Porcelain”.
The Kyushu Ceramic Museum, “Complete Catalog of Shibata Collection”.
 
Condition: Minor loss of gilding and enamel; otherwise in excellent condition consistent with age and usage. Please examine the photos; they are part of the description.