{"product_id":"vintage-aoki-arita-imari-phoenix-plate-9-5-inch-scalloped-rim","title":"Vintage Aoki Arita Imari Phoenix Plate 9.5 Inch Scalloped Rim","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis striking vintage Japanese plate is an attractive example of Aoki Arita Imari ware, decorated in the traditional palette of underglaze cobalt blue with overglaze iron-red and green enamels. Measuring approximately 9½ inches in diameter (see tape measurement in the photographs), it has a gently scalloped rim and a shallow, slightly dished profile typical of late 19th to early 20th century export Arita porcelain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe front of the plate is organized in a classic Imari panel layout. Around the rim runs a deep, saturated cobalt blue ground, hand-painted with a continuous band of white chrysanthemum blossoms and foliage. The flowers are finely drawn, with delicate radial lines on the petals and soft shading that highlights the translucency of the porcelain body beneath the glaze. This intense blue border frames two large asymmetric reserves in the center, evoking the motif of overlapping textile panels or “fan” cartouches, a design frequently used in Meiji-period and later Imari decoration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne reserve is outlined with a bold iron-red key-fret (Greek key) border and filled with fine red enamel decoration of birds among flowering shrubs. The brushwork shows the characteristic slightly sketchy yet confident lines that distinguish hand-painted Japanese porcelain from transfer-printed wares. The second, more angular reserve features a stylized phoenix in iron-red with flowing tail feathers, surrounded by green and black roundels and scrolling details. The phoenix, or “hō-ō,” is an auspicious creature in Japanese art, symbolizing virtue, renewal, and harmonious rule; its presence here reinforces the traditional, good-luck character of the plate’s design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse is undecorated apart from a neat double blue line encircling the foot rim, another hallmark of Arita production. The porcelain body is a clean, slightly bluish white, with a smooth, high-fired glaze typical of Japanese export porcelain rather than heavier stoneware. The back shows a fluted, lobed outline corresponding to the scalloping of the rim, and the foot ring is well-formed, with light wear consistent with age and use. No printed factory mark is visible in the photographs, which is not unusual for earlier Aoki and related Arita pieces intended for export.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCondition is consistent with a vintage display piece. The photographs suggest some minor firing imperfections and typical surface wear, including light utensil marks and small glaze flaws, all of which are part of the character of hand-made Imari porcelain. There may also be a faint hairline or glaze line visible near the rim on the back; prospective buyers should examine the images closely to assess this and any other imperfections, as the plate is offered “as is.” The enamels retain good color, with the cobalt blue still rich and the iron-red and green tones well preserved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith its distinctive chrysanthemum border, auspicious phoenix motif, and classic Imari color scheme, this Aoki Arita plate is ideal for collectors of Japanese porcelain, Imari ware enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a decorative accent that bridges traditional Asian design and Western interiors. It displays beautifully on a wall hanger, plate stand, or in a cabinet, and also makes an appealing companion piece to other Imari-pattern porcelain from Japan or Europe. Its 9½-inch size allows it to function either as a main display plate or as part of a larger grouped arrangement of Imari pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Moffitts Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53941511684380,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/moffitts.co.uk\/products\/vintage-aoki-arita-imari-phoenix-plate-9-5-inch-scalloped-rim","provider":"Moffitts Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}