Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Porcelain (14)

From our Japanese Collection, a truly spectacular, massive, and published pair of imari double gourd vases, late Edo to early Meiji Period circa 1855 -1875, executed in the typical imari palette of iron-red, blue, orange, and gilt, with birds and dragons set against the "Three Friends of Winter" design of pine, prunus, and bamboo.

The double gourd shape is a very desirable form for imari collectors, but rarely is it encountered in such monumental proportions like this massive pair...

From our Japanese Collection, a large and very regal pair of imari vases, Meiji Period 1868-1912, beautifully executed in traditional palette of iron red, orange, blue, and gilt on a white porcelain body, with kiln marks to the base.

Size and Condition: 12 1/4 inches tall, 6 1/2 inches wide. Some light rubbing to the gilt in places commensurate with age and handling, but essentially perfect condition.

From our Japanese Collection, a fine pair of imari flared-mouth vases, Meiji Period (1868-1912), richly executed in the traditional imari palette of iron-red, blue, orange, and gilt highlights. A very decorative pair measuring 12 1/4 inches tall, 6 3/4 inches wide at the shoulder...

From our Japanese Collection, a very fine and very early imari charger, late 17th - early 18th century (circa 1690-1730), decorated with a flower pot, a scholar’s rock, and a large tree in full bloom upon a terraced pavilion, all executed in the typical early imari palette of blue, orange-red, and gilt, with the border done in a rich brocade of flower motifs.

Ordinarily, we do not gravitate much towards early Japanese imari simply on aesthetic grounds...

From our Japanese Collection, a large and beautiful imari charger, Meiji Period (1868-1912), one of two similar pieces we have, of scalloped-edge form with a basket of flowering mums in the center medallion sitting upon a terrace enclosure, and with panels of prunus, chrysanthemums, and other flowering branches in the outer border, all vibrantly executed in traditional imari palette including iron-red, blue, orange, gilt and green...

From our Japanese Collection, a large and beautiful imari charger, Meiji Period (1868-1912), one of two similar pieces we have, of scalloped-edge form with a basket of flowers in the center medallion, and panels of prunus and karakusa in the outer border, all vibrantly executed in traditional imari palette of iron-red, blue, orange, and gilt. This is a rich and gorgeous piece with great presence.

Size and Condition: A large piece at 17 1/2 inches in diameter, 2 1/2 inches deep...

From our Japanese Collection, a fine and rare early 18th century blue and white porcelain Arita bowl, Edo Period circa 1700-1730, painted in the Chinese style, depicting Shoulao (the Chinese god of wisdom and longevity) on a flying crane in the center well, with four alternating reserves depicting the Eight Immortals on the outer wall, separated by reserves of shou characters (Chinese good luck signs), and all executed in a slightly greyish underglaze blue typical of early 18th century Arita wa...

From our Japanese Collection, a very fine and attractive pair of imari fan plates, Meiji Period (1868-1912), executed in the typical imari palette of iron-red, blue, orange, and gilt, depicting birds in flight against a ground of floral motifs and a prunus tree, all rendered on white porcelain in the shape of an open folding fan...

From our Japanese Collection, a fine and large mid-to-late 18th century blue and white porcelain dish, circa 1740-1780, painted in the Chinese style depicting a home with people on an embankment, a treed outcrop in the distance with geese flying overhead, and some unidentified structures in the foreground. The entire scene is surrounded by a border of characters, and all executed in a greyish blue on dense grey porcelain paste, typical of 18th century Japanese Arita ware...

From our Japanese Collection, a good kutani baluster-shaped jar and cover, Meiji Period (1868-1912), executed in traditional kutani palette of iron-red, green, yellow, and gilt highlights, depicting a continuous scene of figures gathered around the circumference of the piece. A small but charming example of genuine 19th century kutani.

Size and condition: 7 1/4 inches tall, 5 inches at the shoulder...

From our Japanese Collection, a very fine assembled pair of Fukagawa imari porcelain chargers, Meiji Period (1868-1912). The blue Koransha mark on the reverse dates these more specifically to circa 1875-1880. One charger depicts figures set against a field of tall bamboo grass executed in mostly gilt and blue, along with very subtle use of green, orange and pink, while the second charger depicts just the bamboo grass...

From our Japanese Collection, a fine and large eight-sided imari charger, Meiji Period 1868-1912, depicting a flower basket beautifully executed in traditional palette of iron red, orange, blue, and gilt on a white porcelain body, and as a lovely extra on this particular piece, the addition of Kakiemon-style greenish turquoise enamel highlights in the corners and tastefully interspersed throughout the design...

From our Japanese Collection, a good Fuyode Ko-Imari Arita blue and white porcelain dish, the term "Fuyode" referring to late 17th century Japanese porcelain painted in the style of Chinese Ming Dynasty porcelain. This is one of the earliest examples of Japanese Arita ware. This dish is painted in underglaze blue with a central panel of flowering peony, and with panels of the “Three Friends of Winter" design (pine, bamboo, and prunus) in the border...

From our Japanese Collection, a good Meiji Period (1868-1912) imari lobed dish, executed in traditional palette using iron red, orange, blue, green, and gilt on a white porcelain body, depicting a stylized chrysanthemum head motif in the center well, along with dragon, phoenix, and floral motifs in the border reserves. An unpretentious but well-made traditional example.

Size and Condition: 8 3/8 inches in diameter...