At first glance, this appears to be a porcelain figure of a dancing woman, but closer inspection reveals that it is a ewer. The left arm of the figure forms the handle of the vessel and the right serves as the spout, with the opening disguised by a leafy spray held in the right hand. The long robes of the figure are intricately decorated with red, green, and turquoise enamels in a variety of designs. At the center is a panel depicting a mythical beast; the collar features a foliate scroll pattern, and diaper motifs decorate the shoulders and underskirt, which is embellished with gilded floral scrolls that resemble rich brocade.Wares with this type of decoration are often referred to by the Japanese term for the decoration, kinrande. The unusual combination of vibrant colours may derive from other media such as painting, silk, and lacquer in the 16th century. Kinrande wares were exported to Europe, Japan, and South Asia. The decoration is more commonly found on dishes, bowls, and flattened-pear shaped ewers – kinrande ewers in the form of figures are exceptionally rare.
