Vintage Japanese Arita Imari Phoenix Floral Porcelain Plate 9.5"

This listing is for a vintage Japanese Arita Imari porcelain plate, attractively decorated in rich underglaze and overglaze enamels and measuring approximately 9½ inches in diameter (see tape measure in photographs for confirmation). The plate is formed with a gently scalloped rim, giving the border a lobed, almost chrysanthemum-like outline that complements the floral decoration around the edge.

The design is a classic late-Meiji to early-Showa interpretation of Imari and Arita ware, combining bold cobalt blue grounds with iron-red and gilt-style overpainting. The border is filled with a deep, almost lapis-blue underglaze, on which are reserved white chrysanthemum-type blossoms, each finely outlined and shaded in blue with yellow-green centers. These blooms are interspersed with scrolling foliage, creating a dense floral band that frames the central decoration very effectively.

Within the well of the plate, the decoration is arranged in the popular “patchwork” or “panel” style, featuring angular cartouches that overlap one another in asymmetrical fashion. One large rectangular panel, outlined with a red key-fret (Greek key) border, is filled with delicate iron-red floral sprays and foliage on a white ground, executed with the light, sketch-like brushwork typical of Arita enameling. A second, more irregularly shaped panel appears below and to the left, also bordered in red, and contains a freely rendered phoenix or ho-o bird among stylized clouds and foliage. The bird’s plumage is picked out in soft iron-red lines, with small green roundels providing a contrasting accent; this motif ties in with the seller’s note identifying a phoenix theme.

The reverse is plainly finished in a soft bluish-white glaze with two concentric underglaze-blue rings encircling the foot, a characteristic feature of many Arita export wares from the late 19th and early 20th century. There are no printed factory marks visible in the images, which is consistent with pieces produced for both domestic and export markets prior to the widespread adoption of English-language backstamps. The clean, well-turned foot ring and neatly applied glaze also support an Arita kiln attribution rather than later, more mass-produced wares.

The plate appears to be made of a fine, hard white porcelain body typical of Arita production, rather than earthenware or stoneware. The thinness of the walls, translucency at the rim (when held to strong light), and the bright resonance of the glaze are all typical indicators of porcelain, even though these qualities are inferred visually from the photographs rather than physically tested. The decoration combines underglaze cobalt with overglaze enamels fired in a later muffle firing, in keeping with traditional Imari technique.

Condition appears generally good for age from the images provided, with some expected light surface wear, utensil marks, or minor production specks commensurate with vintage use and manufacture. I do not see obvious large cracks or repairs, though there may be small rim nicks or glaze rubs that are best assessed by closely reviewing the photographs in high resolution. As with any antique or vintage ceramic, buyers should rely on the images for the most accurate representation of condition.

This plate is an attractive example of Japanese Arita Imari ware for display on a stand, in a wall group, or as part of a collection of phoenix or bird-themed ceramics. Its combination of intense cobalt blue, iron-red, and delicate floral and phoenix motifs makes it a striking decorative accent while also illustrating the enduring appeal of traditional Arita design. It would pair nicely with other Imari pieces—bowls, chargers, or smaller dishes—dating from the late Meiji through early Showa period.