Japanese Imari Charger Buddhist Lions 19th Century

A very large and colorful handmade Japanese porcelain charger with has very detailed painted designs.

The charger has been decorated in over glaze enamels and under glaze cobalt. The central medallion is a prunus in bloom with bamboo stalks and leaves painted in cobalt blue. The cavetto is decorated with alternating panels of Buddhist lions searching for the pearl of wisdom and flowering plants with butterflies. These panels are surrounded with fabric geometric designs. The rim has a gilded edge with a diaper pattern in under glaze blue. Small panels of birds and chrysanthemums are inset into the border. The back is decorated with an under lip border of scrolling peonies and a plantain leaf border at the foot.

The base has four pontil marks in the glaze. The rounded raised foot is partially glazed. There is a Chinese mark on the base that refers to life with riches and honor.

16 ½” (41.9 cm) diameter x 2 3/8” (5.9 cm) tall. Weighs 5 lb 14 oz (2650 g)

A firing crack is visible in the center of both sides. Otherwise, there are no cracks or breaks. The charger rings like a bell. The only chip is on the foot where it was chipped away from the kiln. The lip is rough to the touch, but this appears to be from glazing errors and not from rim chips. The gilding on the mouth rim is very worn, with less wear to the gilding throughout. There is very slight wear in the central medallion. The colors are bright and fresh.

A large statement piece that will add richness to your home. You will definitely see it from across the room.