A pair of Kakiemon porcelain Oshidori (Mandarin ducks)

Edo period, 1670-1690, Japan

Height: 15.8 cm, 6.2 inches

Each bird is naturally modelled swimming forward with long crest, upturned wings and open beak. A pair of webbed feet are partly seen and kicked back providing the feeling of forward motion. The head is predominantly coloured in iron red with pale yellow eyes. Their feathers are finely outlined in black and painted in iron red, blue and green enamels, with black markings on the feathers and head and eyes.

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Ayer, J., Impey, O. and Mallet, J. V. G., (1990) ‘Porcelain for Palaces: The Fashion for Japan in Europe’, London: Oriental Ceramic Society-cat. no. 171, page 185.