Small and elegant water cooler, yuzamashi in Japanese, used to let water sit and cool to the right temperature before pouring it onto sencha. Seen from above the pot has the shape of a taro potato leaf, with indentations in the body on two opposite sides. It can also be used as a creamer/milk pourer.
The area where you grab the pourer is delicately decorated in white, green, pink and purple enamels and gold with sprigs of blooming cherry blossoms and buds. The rim is covered in gold.
Maker’s/manufaturer’s mark inside foot. Not identified. Satsuma ware.
Japan, Meiji era, around 1900
H 2 x W 4 x D 2.75 in.
Spout has a tiny chip, few thin cracks (stable) and some wear on the gold. All in all very good condition.
