Pair Large Imari Jars Hand-Painted Porcelain Late 19th Century Meiji Period

This pair of hand-painted, antique Japanese Imari porcelain jars dates to the late 19th century, circa 1880. The jars are decorated with a traditional Japanese Imari motif of birds and flowers painted in enamels of intense iron red, deep cobalt blue, peach, and gold. They have a wine jar shape with a high domed and flanged lid. The finials are well-formed traditional shi-shi, guardian lions. They are spotted and gilded. An exquisite panel on the front and back of each jar is the main feature of the jars. Each of the panels shows a bird among flowering fruit tree blossoms and chrysanthemums (see images 1,2,4, and 7). The ground around the panels is filled with flowers and scrolling vines.

Dimensions: 16″ x 8″ diameter at the widest point x 5.35″ diameter at the base

Condition: Excellent