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An ovoid-shaped Chinese Ming period porcelain jar painted in rich blue around the sides with two five-clawed dragons among clouds and with rocks and waves below. Round the shoulder a stylised shou (long life character) seems to grow out of the lotus scrol
East Meets West

Extraordinary Chinese and Japanese Works of Art in the Royal Collection

ARITA, HIZEN PROVINCE [JAPAN]

Pair of pastille burners in the form of hares

late 17th- early 18th century

RCIN 100967

Wares from the Arita factories in Japan, decorated in blue and enamel colours from the late seventeenth century onwards, have come to be known as 'Imari' wares, after the name of the port through which they were traded. The Royal Collection contains a substantial group of such objects, including some rare animal models.

These brightly-coloured pastille burners are in the forms of hares, which had been adopted into Japanese mythology from China. The hare is associated with the moon, where it was thought to assist in preparing the elixir of immortality.


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