A rather unusual Japanese Arita porcelain 12 1/2″ charger decorated in an interpretation of the well-known Dame-Au Parasol pattern. The origin of this very Asian design started in the Netherlands when the Dutch East India Company commissioned an artist, Cornelius Pronk to create some designs that the company could order on export porcelain. This pattern appears in both Chinese and Japanese wares and it has always been a point of speculation as to why a European trading company hired a Dutch artist to design Asian images to be rendered on Asian porcelain by Chinese and Japanese painters?! In any event, the result is both charming and beautiful, in very good condition with only a chip to the reverse filled. Mid-18th century.

An especially fine Japanese Kakiemon footed dish with shaped rim decorated with a simple bouquet of flowers and a few floating blossoms, sparsely and asymmetrically placed, yet balanced and understated, hallmarks of this style of decoration that went on to be emulated in the 18th century by European porcelain makers. This charming piece measures 5 3/4″ in diameter x 1 1/2″ tall and is in excellent condition.  Circa 1680-1700.

A fine pair of Japanese 18th century shaped Arita porcelain dishes decorated in underglaze blue with a finely delineated chocolate color rim, the interior featuring a dragon pursuing the pearl of wisdom, surrounded by a border featuring four reserves each with a rather animated little horseman galloping over a bridge and through a landscape. Measuring 8 3/4′ across. Very good condition.

 

 

8.75″ diameter