Japanese Namban Sake Bottle

Rare Namban ceramic bottle with Christian cross applied to the mid section. The arrival of Portuguese Jesuits around 1550 eventually led to many converts and most of what is now known as Namban art was produced between 1590-1610.  In 1612 a ban was imposed on Christian activities so a sake bottle such as this one would have gone into hiding. Edo period, Japan. There is a hairline crack running through the body as seen in photos but overall sound condition. 25cm High by 14.5 cm at widest point