Portable tea-set (cha-bento) of black lacquered wood, with removable hinged cover, containing water container of silvered copper, with drawer beneath: Japan, 19th century

Water container of ground quartz and clay covered with a turquoise alkaline glaze, with openwork rosette filter at top: Middle East, Iran, Rayy type, late 12th century

Jade water container for calligraphy, decorated with lotus flowers and a dragon-fly: China, 19th century

Straight-sided porcelain water jar (mizusashi) for tea ceremony, with low relief and underglaze blue decoration of peonies: Japan, c. 1890s

Lidded water container (mizusashi) of porcelain, decorated in underglaze blue with diagonal bands of pattern, foliage and landscapes: Japan, by Seifu Yohei III, 1890s

Porcelain water jar (mizusashi): Japan, Kyoto, by Ninami Dohachi, 1825 - 1850