Japanese Pair of Large Edo Imari lidded Vases - Late 18th C - 42cm H

A superb pair of Japanese Imari octagonal (8 sided) lidded vases on stands of good size and wonderful quality decoration. In classical Imari colours of Underglaze Cobalt oxide ( blue) and Overglaze Gold and Red Iron oxide. The design shows various stylised garden terrace scenes with a classic design of flower vase with a complete floral design of mainly stylised Peonies and Chrysanthemums. The vases are heavily gilded with much of the original gilding intact.

They probably date to the late 18th / Early 19th Century putting them firmly in the Edo Period. The hardwood stands are later (but also antique) and Chinese.

Japanese export porcelain vases were avidly sought by the wealthy aristocratic and royal patrons to decorate their stately homes and palaces from the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century right through to the early twentieth centuries. This would have been an expensive item to purchase back in the late 17th Century.  Garniture sets were amongst the most prized by the collectors.

Japanese porcelains were prized for their boldly patterned and richly coloured decoration. The importation of Japanese Imari wares at this time, changed European taste for Asian porcelain and was copied extensively by the European pottery and later porcelain manufacturers throughout the 18th and 19th Centuries

This is a wonderful example of the high quality Edo period Japanese porcelain in excellent condition.