Vintage Japanese Arita Imari Phoenix Plate 9.5 Inch Scalloped Rim

This listing is for a vintage Japanese Arita Imari porcelain plate, measuring approximately 9½ inches (about 24 cm) in diameter, with a richly decorated phoenix and floral design. The plate is made in the traditional Imari palette of underglaze cobalt blue with overglaze iron red and gilt-style accents, displaying the bold and vibrant aesthetic associated with Aoki / Arita kilns.

The plate features a scalloped, lobed rim, typical of late 19th to early 20th century export Imari wares. The wide rim is densely painted in deep cobalt blue with a ring of stylised white chrysanthemum-like blossoms and foliage, creating a strong floral border. Within this border, the central field is divided into asymmetrical panels in classic Japanese taste, framed with red geometric key-fret borders. One principal panel contains delicate red foliate scrolls and stylised landscape motifs on a white ground, while the adjacent shaped panel depicts a phoenix amid swirling red clouds and scrolls, a traditional symbol of rebirth, virtue, and auspicious good fortune in Japanese decorative arts.

The colors are typical of Arita Imari: a strong, inky underglaze blue, overpainted with brick-red enamels and touches of green enamel in the small circular motifs that accompany the phoenix design. The contrast between the solid blue ground of the rim and the reserved white fields inside the panels gives the plate a dynamic, almost patchwork composition, much admired by collectors of Meiji and Taishō period ceramics. The painting style, with its combination of tight patterning and freer brushwork in the phoenix feathers and floral sprays, is characteristic of workshop production from Arita rather than later mass-produced wares.

The reverse is plain glazed white with a double blue ring circling the well and foot, again consistent with traditional Arita manufacture. There are no visible maker’s marks or export backstamps in the photographs, which is common on earlier and mid-period Imari pieces destined for both domestic and export markets. The footrim appears neatly finished, with the typical slightly raised ring and glazed base, indicating porcelain rather than earthenware or stoneware.

Condition appears generally good for age based on the images provided, with typical signs of use and shelf wear that are expected on vintage Imari plates. The enamel colors retain good strength and contrast. Please study the photographs closely for any minor rubbing to the enamels, small surface scratches, or tiny frits or nibbles around the scalloped rim; these are common on older pieces and form part of the plate’s authentic vintage character. There is no obvious large crack or significant structural damage visible in the images, but potential buyers should rely on the photos as part of the condition report, as requested by the seller.

This 9.5 inch Arita Imari plate would display beautifully on a wall hanger, plate easel, or within a cabinet among other Japanese porcelain. It is a versatile accent piece: the strong blue-and-white chrysanthemum border coordinates well with classic blue-and-white collections, while the red and green phoenix panel introduces warmth and a focal motif. Collectors of Aoki, Arita, and general Imari ware will appreciate the combination of floral border, geometric framing, and mythological bird subject, all hallmarks of high-quality export porcelain from Japan’s premier kiln region.

Whether you are enhancing an existing Imari grouping, starting a collection of Japanese porcelain, or looking for a single decorative plate with strong color and traditional symbolism, this vintage Arita Imari phoenix plate offers both aesthetic appeal and historic interest. Its manageable 9½ inch size makes it ideal for display in smaller spaces while still showing off the bold, dramatic design that has made Imari ware so enduringly popular with collectors worldwide.