A good Japanese bronze temple wine ewer with rich deep green patination, squat ovoid shape raised on a domed circular foot with a circular cover, the cover surmounted by a tortoise with another smaller clambering over its back, mythical beast mask handles issue from the side and low down on the body a spout moulded as a dragon extends towards the base. The body decorated with various panels of stiff leaf and diaper design, a square fret scroll decorates the shoulder and the lid. Spigot missing from spout. Height 52.5 cm