An important and rare pair of Japanese export black and gilt lacquer covered jars Circa 1680-1700

on later giltwood stands.

Very good condition; the covers with some minor nicks with some inpainting to edges; each reserve panel to the jars with some inpainted nicks to the lower part of the jar; the edges with very minor small nicks in places; otherwise the lacquer is in very good condition; there does not appear to be any lifting to the lacquer and the jars appear to be solid. The gilding is in very good condition with very minor wear in places.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A rare survivor of Japanese lacquered wares produced and exported to the European market in the late 17th century, these jars and covers are identical in shape and nearly identical in decoration to a pair of jars and covers now at Kynžvart Castle, Czech Republic and are also similar to a single jar and cover at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (Impey and Jörg, pp. 164, 166, 168, figs. 378 and 379).  Another jar almost identical to the one at the Ashmolean was with Mallett & Son Antiques, London (Synge, p. 125).  This group of jars and covers are decorated in the 'pictorial' manner of the late 17th century.

The Kynžvart vases, now displayed in the Oriental Corridor, were probably acquired by Count Philipp Emmerich von Metternich as part of his remodelling of the castle between 1682-1691.  Three related octagonal trumpet vases from the collection of Augustus the Strong are at Schloss Pilnitz (Impey, op. cit. p. 380).

See:

Oliver Impey and Christiaan Jörg, Japanese Export Lacquer, 1580-1850, Amsterdam, 2005

Lanto Synge, Mallett Millennium, London, 1999