The only previously known published example was exhibited at the British Museum in 1990 (1). The scroll surrounded by the horned satyr's head was used to name the contents of the jar. The inspiration for the Arita example maybe Northern Lowlands Delftware. An example with a satyr's head is illustrated in Pharmaceutical Pottery and Porcelain in Europe and the East 1150-1850 by Rudolf Drey (2), and Apothekerspotten by Dr. Wittop Koning (3). Sherds of Dutch style albarello have been discovered at the kiln sites of Sarukawa and Shimoshirakawa in Arita. For a discussion on the importation of Japanese ceramics into Japan during the 17th century, see Oranda, Nezu Institute of Fine Arts, Tokyo (4).

Dr. Impey discusses the Arita albarello, similar to the one above in The Beginnings of the Export Trade in Japanese Porcelain (5). He mentions that in 1652, 1,265 pieces, large and small medical pots were shipped to Batavia (6). These would have been used in the surgeons' and apothecarys' shops in Batavia.

1. Ayers, Impey, Mallet, Porcelain for Palaces, the Fashion for Japan in Europe 1650-1750, Oriental Ceramic Society 1990
2. Drey, Rudolf, Apothecary Jars, Faber and Faber, London 1978
3. Koning, Dr. Wittop, Apothekerspotten uit de Nederlanden, Deventer, 1954
4. Nishida, Dr. Hiroko, Oranda, European Ceramics imported into Japan during the Edo period, Nezu Institute of Fine Arts, Tokyo 1987
5. Impey, Dr. Oliver, The Beginnings of the Export Trade in Japanese Porcelain, Arita, 1989
6. Manuscript in the Algemeen Rijksarchief in The Hague, Facotrij Japan, 776