Pair of Japanese Imari parcel-gilt porcelain vases, rouleau form with flaring rims, the bodies with repeating painted panels of flowers in various vases, and foliate cartouche decorations. The bases with a blue six-character mark. 14 1/2" H. 19th century. Provenance: The collection of Gary Glesser of Loudon, Tennessee, by descent from his grandparents, Captain Hoyt and Rachel Holton of Toledo, Ohio. Hoyt Holton became, at age 17, the youngest captain of a Great Lakes Freighter. In the 1960s, Captain Holton participated in a 26-day Admiral Byrd Society trip replicating the explorer's famous transpolar expedition, during which he met the Pope and Soviet Premier Nikita Kruschev. Many items in the collection were brought back as souvenirs from that journey and other frequent voyages.

PROVENANCE: See description for provenance information.

CONDITION: Both overall good condition with no chips or cracks. Light overall craquelure to glaze, some minor discoloration noted to lower bodies of each.