A large Imari baluster vase and cover

Early 18th century, Japan

Height: 89 cm, 35 inches

The main body of the vase is decorated with a vertical waving line creating six panels each painted alternately with a single flowering tree or plant (peony, iris and plum), followed by a repeating design of chrysanthemum flowers and leaves with scrolling stems, all painted in under glaze blue with over glaze red and gold against a white ground. The baluster vases shoulders are decorated with three wreathes in under glaze blue, centred by a red peony flower; this design is repeated with two wreaths on the high domed cover below the elaborate top knot.