Antique Japanese Imari Porcelain Charger Plate Arita Ware Phoenix Hō-Ō Bird Meiji Period

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This Japanese Imari porcelain charger plate, characteristic of Arita ware from the Meiji period, features a detailed hand-painted central motif … Read more This Japanese Imari porcelain charger plate, characteristic of Arita ware from the Meiji period, features a detailed hand-painted central motif of a phoenix (Hō-ō) amidst stylized clouds and foliage. The design is executed in the traditional palette of underglaze blue, iron red, and green enamels, heavily accented with gold gilding. The composition reflects the dense, "horror vacui" aesthetic preferred for Western export, showcasing intricate craftsmanship and cultural symbols of prosperity and good fortune.
The wide rim is divided into alternating geometric and floral panels, a hallmark of the Hizen Province kilns.

This large-scale charger was designed primarily for decorative display, utilizing overglaze enameling techniques to create a rich, tactile surface. The combination of the mythical hō-ō bird and elaborate scrolling vines makes this a significant example of 19th-century Japanese ceramic art suited for serious collectors or as a focal point in a curated interior. See less