Antique Imari Plate With Dragon and Phoenix and Bears the Mark of Wanli

Description

Imari porcelains are admired for their vibrant colors and exceptional designs. This plate was made with more care than most. … more Imari porcelains are admired for their vibrant colors and exceptional designs. This plate was made with more care than most. It was an artful way to use the dragon, the phoenix and plum blossoms. Dragon and phoenix are mythical creatures in Japanese folklores and they are symbols of many auspicious elements as well as the male and female energy and together they represent wisdom, luck, power, beautiy and marital bliss. Plum blossoms are the first flower to bloom symbolize spring. The dragon occupies the center spot and encircled by alternating segments of phoenix and bird on plum tree. The colors are typical Imari - underglaze blue, red, gold and green.

High quality imari is made of fine porcelain. the front surface is very smooth and the back has just a few dimples. The foot is well made and has the double blue circles imitating Chinese porcelains. It also has a six character reign mark "Made in the reign of Wanli of the Great Ming Dynasty." The spurious mark honors the Wanli Emperor CE 1572 - 1620. Imari wares that bear this name are datable to the first half 19th century of the Edo Period.

Chinese collector like to collect Japanese ceramics with Chinese reign dates. less