This lot and the following are from the collection formed by John, third Earl of Bristol, whose sister Anne was a close friend of Mary II while she was in Holland. His family was amongst the first to support William's accession to the throne and when he arrived in England in November 1688 he stayed at Sherborne Castle
For further details of the collection see Flowers of Fire, Kakiemon Porcelain from the English Country House, Christie's, 1989