Pair Imari Temple Jars
Pair imari temple jars are striking lidded vessels that bring rich palette work and historical kilns into a room.
Pair Imari Temple Jars
When you search for pair imari temple jars, you encounter lidded vases and jars that combine cobalt blue underglaze with enamel colours and gilding. These matching vessels range from seventeenth-century Japanese Arita productions to nineteenth-century interpretations.
The selections span different centuries and forms, including pieces made during the Edo period alongside later Victorian and Samson iterations. Most examples present as lidded jars or vases and covers designed for display.
Buyers meet variations in scale, from large decorative vases to more modest pots, all sharing the distinct visual language associated with Japanese Imari style work.
How they were made
These pieces rely on porcelain bodies painted with cobalt blue underglaze before receiving secondary applications of enamel colours and gilding, gold leaf, or gilt. Some iterations incorporate ormolu mounts.
Kiln techniques of the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries determined the depth of the glaze and the vibrancy of the iron red and gold highlights applied over the fired white porcelain.
Pair Imari Temple Jars Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for pair imari temple jars among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Samson factories were so convincing at copying Japanese Imari style that modern collectors still double-take at the lids.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the crispness of the cobalt blue underglaze painting and the precision of the overglaze enamel and gilding work. Early pieces from the seventeenth century display a different weight and pigment density compared to nineteenth-century interpretations.
The presence of original matching covers and the crispness of the porcelain form separate ordinary decorative pots from the finer examples recorded across these periods.
Samson
The Pair Imari Temple Jars Glossary
- Imari
- A style of Japanese porcelain decorated in underglaze blue, iron red, and gold. This aesthetic originated in Arita and heavily influenced European factories.
- Arita
- The Japanese town where porcelain production began in the seventeenth century. Pieces from this origin form the bedrock of the tradition.
- Edo Period
- A period in Japanese history spanning from sixteen hundred and three to eighteen hundred and sixty-eight. Many foundational pieces date from this era.
- Ormolu
- Gilded bronze mounts applied to decorative objects. This technique appears on certain European adaptations and mountings of oriental porcelain.
Pair Imari Temple Jars: Frequently Asked Questions
What are pair imari temple jars?
These objects are matching porcelain lidded vessels decorated with cobalt blue, enamels, and gilding. They were produced in Japan and later in Europe.
They function primarily as decorative garnitures or centrepieces within a room, showcasing traditional kiln artistry.
How do I date these jars?
Dating relies on the porcelain body, the quality of the cobalt blue underglaze, and the style of the overglaze enamels. Seventeenth-century pieces differ noticeably from nineteenth-century Victorian or Samson versions.
Examining the foot rim and glaze characteristics helps distinguish between Edo period originals and later interpretations.
Were these jars used for storage?
Despite being called temple jars or lidded vases, these decorative vessels served mainly as display items in interiors. Their substantial size and rich colour palette made them focal points.
The inclusion of a cover completed the silhouette of the vase rather than serving a daily culinary function.
How do I live with them?
Pair imari temple jars suit mantels, sideboards, or dedicated display cabinets where their strong palette of blue, red, and gold can be appreciated. They anchor traditional and eclectic interiors alike.
Placing them away from direct foot traffic protects the lids and the overglaze gilt details from accidental knocks.