A striking and decorative pair of Japanese Imari lidded vases finely hand-painted in the traditional Imari palette of rich cobalt blue, iron red and vibrant gilding. These baluster-shaped vases display exceptional symmetry as a pair, with well-matched proportions, colour balance and decorative detailing.
Each vase is decorated with dense panels of stylised chrysanthemums, peonies and scrolling foliage, framed by bold red cartouches and enhanced throughout with fine gilt embellishment. The domed lids are equally detailed, topped with elegant onion-shaped finials making the pair particularly impressive in both height and presence.
The vases each bear a hand-painted red mark to the base, reading 「福寿」(Fuku-ju) — an auspicious phrase meaning "Good Fortune and Longevity", commonly used on Meiji-period export porcelain.
Highly decorative and beautifully balanced, this pair is ideal for a mantel, console table or as statement pieces within a larger Imari collection...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Ceramic Decorative Objects