Description: Imari porcelain, eight pieces. Size of largest plate (2" x 11.5" x 11.5"). The subject matter of Imari is diverse, ranging from foliage and flowers to people, scenery and abstractions. This type of Imari is known as Kinrande Imari because it is colored porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze and red and gold overglaze. The color combination was not seen in China at that time and was heavily exported to the west in the mid-17th century

History: Imari porcelain is the name for Japanese porcelain wares made in the town of Arita, in the former Hizen Province, northwestern Kyushu. They were exported to Europe extensively from the port of Imari, Saga, between the second half of the 17th century and the first half of the 18th century. The Japanese as well as Europeans called them Imari. In Japanese, these porcelains are also known as Arita-yaki. Imari or Arita porcelain has been continuously produced up through the present day. However, Westerners' conception of Imari in the popular sense is associated only with a type of Imari produced and exported in large quantity in mid-17th century to the late19th century. This type of Imari is called Kinrande. Kinrande Imari is colored porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze and red and gold overglaze. This color combination was not seen in China at that time and is distinctly Japanese. Traditional Ming dynasty porcelain used dominantly red and green colors due to scarcity of gold in China, whereas gold was abundant in Japan in those days. The subject matter of Imari is diverse, ranging from foliage and flowers to people, scenery and abstractions.

Provenance: N/A

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 11 | Height(in) = 20 | Width(in) = 20 | Depth(in) = 20

Size of Artwork(in): 2" x11.5" x11.5'

Artist Name: unknown

Medium: hard paste

Circa: C. mid 19th century

Under thorough inspection, no damage or restoration was observed.