Antique Imari Bowl Japanese Porcelain Punch Bowl Hand Painted Meiji 19thC 28.5cm

A very attractive and very useful antique Japanese porcelain punch bowl, decorated in a traditional Imari pattern and dating from the late 19th century during the early Meiji period circa 1880.

The punch bowl has a plain thrown vertically sided body. It has been beautifully hand painted with a colourful and intricate Imari design featuring four large stylised chrysanthemum flowers similar to the Imperial Kamon or crest on a ground of manjis or Buddhistic left facing swastikas. The kamon are set between four ornate cartouches, two with red crown cranes and two with stylised european heraldic crests. Cranes represent good fortune and longevity in Asian culture, in Japan they are referred to as the "bird of happiness".

The centre of the bowl is decorated with an underglaze blue coppiced or pollarded willow tree with new growth sprouting from the side of the cut trunk.

 The main colours are peach, iron red, blue and green with black and gilded highlights. It is a highly decorative item that could be displayed as it is or better still used as a punch bowl!

The bowl stands 5 3/4 inches (14.5cm)  high and the rim diameter is also  11 3/8 inches (28cm). The base diameter is 4 1/4 inches . It is in very good condition with just a little glaze scratching and wear to the gilding commensurate with use.

It weighs 2461g unpacked so too heavy to be shipped by Royal Mail.

Free international postage with this item

This is a highly collectable and decorative item and great for display on its own or as part of a collection of antique Japanese porcelain or Imari ware.