Plate (3) - Porcelain - Imari Mint Condition

A set of three Imari plates from the late 19th to early 20th century in excellent condition. Imari porcelain was made in the kilns of Arita in Japan and subsequently exported to the world through the port of Imari. In Europe, so-called Imari porcelain became popular in the 17th and 18th centuries through imports carried out by Dutch merchants. Imari refers to a distinctive style of decoration in Japanese ceramics, characterised by a specific colour palette based on white, shades of blue and red, often complemented by green, gold, and black.

1. Three friends of winter plate, 1910.

An Imari plate with a three friends of winter motif in the middle. This motif in Japan refers to a traditional grouping of three plants - pine (matsu), bamboo (take), and plum blossom (ume), that symbolize resilience and perseverance. All three endure the harsh winter season: pine remains evergreen, bamboo bends but does not break under snow, and plum blossoms bloom while winter still lingers. Because of these qualities, the motif represents steadfastness, renewal, and moral integrity, and it frequently appears in Japanese art, ceramics, textiles, and seasonal decorations. The theme originates in Chinese literati symbolism but became deeply integrated into Japanese visual culture as an auspicious decorative motif.

D. 22 cm

2. Flower basket Imari plate underglaze, 1890.

This plate is a typical example of Imari ware, decorated with floral and geometric motifs and arranged in a symmetrical division into sections with a characteristic blue field in the centre with the flowers in a vase motif (hanakago 花籠). It also features a gently scalloped rim typical of Imari plates.

D. 26 cm

3. Flower basket Imari plate overglaze without blue, 1920.

A beautiful and rare decorative plate with the flowers in a vase motif (hanakago 花籠), featuring stylised peonies and chrysanthemums in bloom. Floral motifs also appear on the side panel together with the thousand-leaf maple motif (momiji 紅葉).

The plate is exceptional due to the absence of underglaze cobalt, which is unusual for Imari ware. The plate is shaped in the so-called hassun-gata (八寸型) form, an octagon with a radiating, softly contoured edge that has a slightly vegetal, organic character.

D. 23 cm