Japanese Antique Imari Porcelain Bottle Vase Hand Painted Meiji c 1890 19th C

A Japanese Imari export porcelain bottle shaped vase dating from the late 19th century. The vase has been painted in peach, green, iron red enamel and gilding over an under-glaze blue structural ground.

The underside of the vase is unmarked, but this vase is Imari ware or Imari yaki ( 伊万里焼 ) which was traditionally made around Arita in the former Hizen Province, (now the Saga prefecture) of North western Kyushu, in Japan. This decorative vase dates from the fourth quarter of the 19th century during the Meiji period (1868-1912) circa 1890.

The main design is painted with two large fan shaped panels or cartouches on opposite sides of the vase, these have been reserved in white against the cobalt blue ground. They are painted with a fenced garden scene incorporating Iris flowers and a flowering tree. These fan shaped cartouches are set between two round iron red bordered cartouches each decorated with two Chinese Pheonix, feng huang or HoHo birds 鳳凰. There are other smaller cartouches in a variety of shapes and sizes with different designs, including geometric patterns, symbols for cash, flowers, bamboo etc.

The long thin neck is mainly reserved in white with flowering blossom and butterflies decoration with geometric borders to the base of the neck and the rim. The base has a border of stylised lotus petal panels.

It is in good antique condition, it has been used as a lamp in the past and there is a filled and disguised hole where the cable was once fitted. There is a repair or restored chip to the rim. There is wear to the gilding. The neck is not quite vertical and has leaned over slightly when fired in the kiln at manufacture.

This is a highly collectable and very decorative item and great for display on its own as a statement piece or as part of a collection antique Japanese, Oriental porcelain or Imari-yaki.

Free UK postage with this item, International shipping at cost.

Overall Height 11 1/2 inches ( 29.3 cm)
Body Diameter 5 3/4 inches ( 14.5 cm)
Weight 764 grammes unpacked