Japanese Arita Porcelain Lidded Temple Vase hand painted with flowers & butterflies in the Imari palette - Meiji era circa 1880 - 23 cm high

A hand painted, very decorative and collectable antique Japanese Imari export porcelain vase and cover dating from the late 19th century. The vase is of a tapering ovoid or wine jar shape with a high domed flanged lid that has a flame shaped or temple top finial. Some collectors refer to this as a Temple Jar and others as a lidded ginger jar.

The vase and cover have each been painted with an underglaze blue ground pattern and iron red enamels with gilding. The main underglaze blue design is of a stylised leaf pattern with the space between the leaves painted with flowers and butterflies in red enamel and gold over the glaze. The shoulder on the vase and cover are each decorated with an alternating peach (a symbol of longevity) and cash or coin design ( a symbol of riches) . The base has a border of stylised flowers and coins.

The base of the vase is unmarked but, Imari ware or Imari yaki ( 伊万里焼 ) was traditionally made around Arita in the former Hizen Province, (now the Saga prefecture) of North western Kyushu, in Japan. This beautifully decorative vase and cover dates from the fourth quarter of the 19th century during the Meiji period (1868-1912) circa 1880. Some collectors may refer to this vase and cover as a temple jar.

It is in good antique condition. There is some wear to the gilding and crackling to the glaze. There is a firing tear to the rim of the body and a filled and disguised chip on the flanged rim of the lid. There are no other chips cracks nor restoration. Please see the images.

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, Asian porcelain or Imari-yaki.

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

Overall Height 9 3/16 inches ( 23.2 cm)
Body Diameter 5 inches ( 12.8 cm)
Jar Height 5 7/8 inches ( 15 cm)
Weight 683 grammes unpacked