A pair of Arita blue & white porcelain models of recumbent horses

 Early 18th century, Japan.

Length: 17.5cm

Dateable to the late 17th century, early 18th century, their saddles are decorated with flowers and foliage. The irregular shaped bases with a scrolling Karakusa around the sides.

The horses were obviously made after a Dutch Delft prototype; the other model that one finds occasionally is that copying a recumbent cow – also after the Delft, 17th century. Length: 7”

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Illustrated in ‘Porcelain for Palaces, The Fashion for Japan in Europe 1650-1750’ page188, fig. 176 in the Groninger Museum .