Typically Imari ware (in the English usage of the term) is painted in underglaze blue, with red, gold, black for outlines, and sometimes other colors, added in overglaze. The style was so successful that Chinese and European producers began to copy it. Sometimes the different overglaze styles of Kakiemon and Kutani ware are also grouped under Imari ware. Imari ware was copied in both China and Europe, and is produced continuously to this day.

Presented is a large round, fairly heavy dish with a typical Japanese Imari decor. The large shelf and elevation are hand painted on a pure white covering in dark underglaze cobalt blue, and overglaze with the enamels iron red and gold. It is a decoration of a handle basket on a table on a rectangular carpet. From the basket, foliage, a prunus tree, chrysanthemums, daisies,… There is a large floating fenghuang with a beautiful tail hanging in the air. The large amount of unpainted covering makes the decor very airy. The elevation is outlined all around by two parallel concentric blue lines. The narrow, slightly curving border is alternately and repeatedly painted with lotus plants and daisies. The lip is painted all around with cobalt blue. The underside is glazed, except for the wide round base ring. In the center we see remains of proons in the shape of a “Y”, arguing for an early 18th century origin. The wide collar at the back is painted all around with a busy cloud pattern in underglaze blue. All this is typical of Japanese Imari porcelain. Probably 1st half of the 18th century, Edo period. The plate is not signed.

Condition: perfect.