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OVERVIEW:
This large 18" antique Japanese Imari charger plate from the Meiji period features a vibrant multi-color, innovative, and glorious design of a fiery phoenix (or bird of prey of some kind) flying above an evocative nature scene featuring a turbulent sea and verdant mountain range.
STYLE & THEME:
The artist is an amazing master at showcasing the craftsmanship of Japanese porcelain and pottery of the period. Moreover, he appears to have been a bit more original in his chosen style and theme.
Most animal motifs from Japan show fish, dragons, or perhaps cranes, so this is a very unique and desirable collector’s item and work of art. The entire plate features a thick gold rim on the outer edge, as well as, the contact or base edge on the obverse.
Additionally, although I can’t read or interpret the Japanese katakana or kanji, the work bears a hand painted mark of authenticity and appears to be a numbered version #26 within a run of unknown limit.
Notice the vibrancy and range of the color palette—brilliant oranges and reds, dark blues, deep blacks, and pleasing shades of brown accentuated with other, subtle earth-tones, all expertly contrasted with the bright greens and turquoise hues of the landscape and sea.
CONDITION:
Overall, the piece is in excellent condition with no observed scratches, chips, cracks, or crazing. There is only very minimal and expected wear to the contact rim on the bottom.
Produced between 1850 to 1899, this rare piece is a unique and collectible item originating from Japan. With intricate detailing and a rich historical significance, this antique original charger plate is a beautiful addition to any Asian antiques collection.
ORIGIN:
This one of a kind charger belonged to my stepmother’s parents (all long since deceased) whom collected and invested in numerous highly valuable items, antiques, jewelry, and other rare objects throughout their adult lives. My stepmother was raised in an actual 4 story mansion replete with live-in maids, cooks, chauffeur, groundskeeper, and other staff; and she attended the best Catholic schools throughout her life (including Marymount university).
Her father was one of the original Oil Boom barons in the Houston area; and he owned original stocks in AT&T, Coca Cola, IBM, and many other large corporations, as well as, ownership of numerous producing wells.
I mention all this only to impress upon you that he was a multimillionaire back when a million dollars was still an enormous sum to imagine; and he did not buy cheap trinkets or reproductions. I was told at one time he owned an original Monét and a fabulous Rolls Royce that today would be worth a fortune of its own.
Therefore, I’m confident this is an authentic piece which he could have easily obtained as an antique back in the 1930s to 1950s, so it’s possible this charger is indeed quite old but obviously in Very Fine + to Near Mint - condition.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Trust me—I’ll endeavor to thoroughly protect the charger with multiple layers of padding, bubble wrap, and possibly a box-within-a-box approach in order to maximize buffering and ensure it arrives in your hands safely and promptly after sale. Note however that I may have to adjust shipping charges to reflect the extensive amount of packaging and weight; but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Feel free to ask any questions, and good luck!
