Imari porcelain vase

This ceremonial Japanese vase makes a striking impression with its dramatic presence and the visual richness of its decoration. With a baluster shape and generous proportions, it features a sumptuous polychrome composition typical of the Arita tradition. The body is punctuated by magnificent cartouches in the shape of open fans, hand-painted with bouquets of peonies and flowering branches. These scenes stand out against a deep cobalt blue background, enhanced by a profusion of foliage and highlights in fine gold. The interplay between midnight blue, vibrant iron red and golden highlights lends this piece a hypnotic depth, ideal for enhancing a prestigious interior.

Provenance and Historical Context: Crafted in Japan in the mid-18th century (Edo period), this vase dates from the golden age of Imari porcelain exports destined for European palaces and grand châteaux. It comes from a major European private collection passed down through the family. A commissioned piece of exceptional rarity given its size, it still bears a handwritten historical inventory mark (K/1243/40) beneath its neck, attesting to its registration in the collections of a grand aristocratic residence in the last century.

Condition: Superb overall condition for a three-hundred-year-old object. The porcelain retains its full structural integrity, with no cracks or chips. The polychrome enamels are extremely vivid and the overglaze gilding is remarkably fresh, with very slight, charming signs of wear on the neck. A perfectly preserved museum-quality work of art.

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