Antique Pair of Japanese Imari Plates

A charming pair of scalloped-edge Japanese Imari plates decorated in the traditional palette of underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze iron-red with gilt highlights. Each plate features a bold central roundel with radiating fan-shaped panels alternating between deep cobalt and intricate foliate motifs. The borders are richly decorated with scrolling chrysanthemum and peony designs, executed with fine detail and exhibiting the expressive brushwork characteristic of early Imari wares. These plates display all the hallmarks of mid-19th-century Edo production including the softer porcelain body, hand-brushed cobalt with tonal variation, and the typical firing grit and irregularities beneath the glaze — features not usually seen on later Meiji or circa-1900 examples. The decoration is fluid and artisanal, further supporting a mid-19th-century date. The reverse of each plate is decorated with simple floral sprays and retains the original hand-crafted form showing subtle irregularities that confirm their authenticity. A very attractive pair for collectors or interior display. Date: Mid-19th Century c. 1860 Origin: Japanese