A rare Japanese Ko Imari 'Voc' flask; 17th century, Edo period; of bulbous form with crackle glaze, short tapering neck and painted in underglaze blue with the monogram 'Voc' for the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (Dutch East India Company), framed by a crown of leaves and flowers and enveloped in original rope and handle basket. The underside also with Voc monogram and potentially fired in the Hyakken kiln, Takeo Hizen. 19 cm high, 15 cm diameter