Two Figures of Seated Courtesans

Two seated female figures painted in Kakiemon-style overglaze enamel, typified by the use of bright enamel colours on a fine white porcelain body. Such work set a standard in the early 18th century for European porcelain manufacture and influenced Meissen, Chelsea, Worcester and Bow. Kakiemon-style wares, especially figures of this kind, were the costliest and most sought after of all Japanese ceramics exported to Europe.