Pear-shaped bottle on footring, long neck, flat spreading mouthrim. Decorated in early enamel colours in five horizontal sections. From top to bottom: a wide band with four groups of bamboo, orchis, magnolia and rocks; a band with eleven groups of vertical, gradually diminishing lines; a band with dots and half-flowers; a wide band on the shoulder with auspicious symbols separated by narrow panels with geometric motifs; and a narrow band with a stylised scroll around the neck. Bottles with these enamel colours, called the 'early enamel group', form part of the first polychrome export goods manufactured in Arita. They are decorated with a wide variety of motifs and representations and the way in which they are divided into panels as well as the landscape elements are redolent of Chinese examples. Otherwise they show a wholly Japanese composition and style. They are rare in Dutch collections having been primarily manufactured for the south-east Asian markets. The shape is comparable to that of bottles decorated in underglaze blue (cat. XX{}). This is a particularly fine piece, with a powerfully painted, striking decoration. No other bottles with a similar decoration appear to be ...