A PAIR OF LARGE 'KAKIEMON' VASES JAPAN, LATE 17TH CENTURY

each of ovoid form decorated in overglazed blue, green, yellow, and iron red depicting a mountainous landscape (2)

Collection of Placido de Sangro, Duca di Martina (1829-1881), Naples, Italy.
Collection of Placido de Sangro, Conte dei Marsi, nephew of Placido de Sangro, Duca di Martina, Naples, Italy, inherited in 1891.
Collection of Duchess Laura Avati di S. Pietro, niece of Placido de Sangro, Naples, Italy, inherited circa 1911, and thence by decent.

Both vases have been drilled in the center of the base. Both holes now later filled. One vase has a small chip to the foot rim and a glazed over firing chip to the footrim. The body has numerous small discolored patches to the body under the glaze. There are also three firing flaws to the enamels on the sides presumably caused by touching another piece in the kiln. The other vase has been broken into several large pieces and restored back together with a museum-type restoration. The green enamel on this vase has mis-fired with a bubbled appearance.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Enameled wares decorated in the simple, bold style of the present piece are documented as appearing in European collections during the 1660-80 period. Whist generally ascribed the description 'early Kakiemon' or 'Kakiemon-style' it has not been possible to firmly attribute this group to a specific kiln. For a further discussion of the style of enameling see Eva Ströber, 'La maladie de porcelaine'; East Asian Porcelain from the Collection of Augustus the Strong, Leipzig, 2001, p. 166, where the author illustrates a vase of similar form to the present example, decorated with flowers, with its original cover. For a vase painted with willow tree and rockwork see the example in the Toguri Museum of Art, illustrated in Old Imari Ware, Tokyo, 1991, p. 81, pl. 173.