How do I identify Imari porcelain?

Imari porcelain is readily identified by its characteristic palette, which combines underglaze cobalt blue with iron red and touches of gold leaf. The designs typically feature dense floral arrangements, landscapes, or brocade patterns arranged in panels across the surface of plates and chargers. Most examples found today date from the Meiji period or slightly earlier, reflecting the high volume of production for export markets during those decades.

What is Kraak porcelain?

Kraak porcelain is a specific type of Chinese export ware manufactured during the late Ming dynasty, particularly in the Wanli period. It is distinguished by a thin body, bright blue and white decoration, and a rim divided into distinct radial panels. These dishes were traded extensively by European maritime companies and frequently appear in Dutch Golden Age oil paintings.

How should I display a charger?

Chargers are large decorative plates traditionally intended for display on sideboards, walls, or within dedicated cabinets rather than everyday dining use. Due to their generous diameter, they require sturdy plate stands or secure wall-mounting brackets designed specifically for heavy ceramics and metalwork. Positioning them away from direct, harsh sunlight helps protect vulnerable overglaze enamels and gold leaf highlights over time.

How do I tell Meiji period pieces apart?

Meiji period items span from the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century, a time of significant industrialisation and artistic export in Japan. Pieces from this era often bear signature marks from specific workshops and display exceptional technical precision in Satsuma earthenware, cloisonne enamel, and patinated bronze. Comparing the complexity of the motifs and the weight of the metal or ceramic base helps distinguish these pieces from earlier or later reproductions.

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Antique Oriental Plate

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An antique oriental plate brings centuries of skilled ceramic and metalwork into domestic spaces, ranging from vibrant Japanese Imari chargers to delicate Chinese porcelain dishes.