A MASSIVE JAPANESE BRONZE WATER CISTERN

A MASSIVE JAPANESE BRONZE WATER CISTERN
MEIJI ERA, 19TH CENTURY

The large ovoid body raised on a tall foot intricately decorated with tortoises amongst crashing waves, with large lion dog-shaped side handles and the cover decorated with a shishi and her pup; the spout cast as a large dragon coiling along the body of the cistern; with borders of fylfots, scrolling tendrils and other formal designs including flaming tama (pearls of wisdom); 175cm x 107cm.

Provenance: the collection of Miss Elizabeth Augusta Grosvenor Guest (1879-1960), grand-daughter of Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster (1795-1869), and grand-daughter of Lady Charlotte Guest (later Schreiber, 1812-95).