Vintage Japanese Imari 21cm Scalloped Porcelain Plate

This attractive vintage Japanese Imari plate is a fine example of late 19th–early 20th century export porcelain, combining the bold colour palette and dynamic design that have made Imari ware so sought after with Western collectors. Measuring approximately 21 cm in diameter (as confirmed by the tape measure in the photographs), the plate has a scalloped rim and shallow, dished profile, making it ideal both for display and for light serving use if desired.

The decoration follows a classic Imari arrangement, with radiating panels alternating around a central roundel. The dominant colours are rich underglaze cobalt blue, overglaze iron red and gilt, with soft touches of green enamel. Each of the broad red panels is densely filled with stylised florals, scrolling foliage and cloud-like motifs, all characteristic of the late Edo to Meiji-period taste for intricate, all-over patterning. The fan-shaped reserves in white carry delicate images of chrysanthemum and other seasonal flowers picked out in red and green, some framing small stylised birds, an auspicious motif in Japanese decorative arts.

The centre of the plate is reserved in underglaze blue, with a narrow geometric border encircling a floral emblem and scrolling foliage. This central medallion is slightly recessed, which provides a pleasing sense of depth and helps to focus the eye. Around the cavetto, segmented blue “panels” radiate towards the rim, giving the design a strong, almost architectural framework against which the warmer red and white sections stand out. The scalloped edge of the plate enhances this effect, catching the light on the glazed surface and emphasising the lobed outline when the piece is viewed from an angle.

The reverse is plainly glazed in a soft bluish-white and decorated with spaced underglaze blue floral and scroll motifs between the lobes, typical of Japanese Imari pieces made for both domestic and export markets. The base has a raised footring with some expected kiln grit and wear to the unglazed rim, consistent with age and authentic period production rather than later reproduction. There are no printed factory marks, which again is in line with earlier hand-decorated Imari rather than mid-20th-century export wares that often bear transfer marks.

Condition appears good for a vintage piece. The glaze retains a bright gloss, and the enamels show strong, unfaded colour. Minor surface wear, small firing specks and light rubbing to the gilding at the high points should be anticipated, as visible in the close-up photographs, but there are no obvious cracks, major chips or structural restorations apparent from the images. Collectors will appreciate the lively hand-painted quality, visible brushwork and subtle variations between panels that distinguish true hand-decorated porcelain from later mass-produced examples.

This 21 cm Imari plate displays particularly well on a stand or wall hanger, either as a single focal piece or as part of a larger grouping of Japanese and Asian export ceramics. Its classic palette of cobalt blue, iron red and gilt harmonises easily with both traditional and modern interiors. For collectors of Imari ware, Japanese porcelain, or general antique ceramics, it offers an attractive, authentic decorative object that also reflects the long history of cultural exchange between Japan and the West. The combination of scalloped form, bold radiating design and excellent enamel quality makes it an especially appealing example of vintage Japanese Imari ware.