This is an Imari vase from the early Meiji era (1870-90), which is decorated abundantly in bright overglaze colours; it has been rather obviously made for export to either Europe or the USA.

One side shows a samurai in full battle dress with his attendant, the other a noblewoman and her servant, sitting under a tree in a garden. The rest of the vase is decorated with trees, flowers, birds.

It is marked "Hichozan Fukagawa zo" in red on the underside...

Kutani cup from the 1920s (Taisho era), decorated in underglaze blue as well as overglaze enamels, depicting galloping horses.

Diameter 7.5 cm (3"), height 4.5 cm (2"), excellent state without cracks, chips or repairs.

Japanese metal (probably brass) tea pot from the mid-Meiji era (1880-1900), decorated in cloisonne enamels.

Floral decoration, no marks.

Diameter 8 cm (3"), height 7.5 cm (3"); excellent condition, without dings, chips, cracks or repairs - just the usual signs of age.

Lidded Japanese Imari porcelain jar from the late Meiji period (early 20th century), decorated in overglaze enamels.

The decoration shows two reserves with a landscape (or rather: seascape), embedded in floral and abstract patterns.

Diameter 16 cm (6.5"), height 31 cm (12.5"), no marks; excellent state, without chips, hairlines or repairs.

Very large Imari plate from the mid-Meiji period (1880-1900), decorated in underglaze blue as well as overglaze enamels on a brown background.

The decoration consists of flowers and birds.

Diameter 47 cm (19"), excellent state, without chips, cracks or repairs.

Chinese metal vase from the 1920s, decorated in so-called 'Canton enamels'.

The decoration is mostly floral, but also shows butterflies and a bird sitting on a branch.

Diameter 13 cm (5"), height 23 cm (9"). Excellent condition, without chips, cracks, dings or repairs.

Japanese lacquerware tea caddy used for the tea ceremony (called 'natsume' in Japanese).

It dates from the mid-Meiji period (1880-1900) and is decorated in floral patterns (gold on black).

Diameter 6.5 cm (2.5"), height 6.5 cm (2.5"). Illegible signature on the bottom; excellent state without cracks, chips or repairs.

Chinese cloisonne plate from the early 20th century (1900-20), decorated with chrysanthemums on a dark blue background (front) and stylised flowers (reverse).

Diameter 26 cm (10.5"), unmarked and in excellent condition (no dings, repairs, hairlines or chips).

Japanese cloisonne vase from the 1920s (Taisho era). It is decorated with roses on a light green background.

Diameter 11 cm (4.5"), height 21 cm (8.5"), no marks, excellent condition without cracks, chips, dings or repairs.

This Chinese Celadon plate dates from the 19th century.

It is colourfully decorated in overglaze enamels, showing birds, flowers and butterflies in typical Canton style.

The reverse shows an underglaze-blue mark, which is undecipherable (at least to me).

Diameter 25 cm (10 inches); perfect state, no chips, cracks or hairlines.

This miniature Hirado cup and saucer set was made in the late Meiji era (1900-15).

Both cup and saucer show one 'shojo' each. The shojo are red-haired, sake-loving, but otherwise friendly and helpful goblins in Japanese folklore. The shojo on the saucer is dancing next to a huge sake pot, holding a fan with the Japanese flag in his hand...

This beautiful Nabeshima plate was probably made in the 1970s.

It depicts part of a cherry tree in full bloom in vivid colours.

The reverse is adorned with lucky coin symbols and bears the signature of Imaemon Imaizumi XIII.

Diameter 25.5 cm (10"); perfect state, no chips, cracks or hairlines.