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Lot 23
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19th C. Japanese Edo / Meiji Imari Plate + 2 Bowls
19th C. Japanese Edo / Meiji Imari Plate + 2 Bowls
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Description:

East Asia, Japan, late Edo to early Meiji period, ca. 19th century CE. A beautiful trio of blue-on-white, Imari-ware porcelain vessels: 2 petite bowls and a plate. Sitting on a gently raised base, each bowl presents an undulating rim and is adorned with sho chiku bai - or "Three Friends of Winter" - decoration. Alternatively, the plate presents a stylized butterfly design around the border and paulownia flower motif at the center. Size of largest (plate): 7.8" Diameter x 1.3" H (19.8 cm x 3.3 cm)

Sho chiku bai is a decorative motif adapted from Chinese ceramics that incorporates the elements of pine, plum, and bamboo. These 3 plants together symbolize endurance, sacredness, prosperity, and refined beauty. The pine tree symbolizes vitality due to its ability to endure blizzards and bitter cold. Bamboo, which grows with unyielding force, represents vigor, strength, and agility. While the richly fragrant and first-blossoming plum tree not only evokes springtime but also signifies graceful beauty. Throughout Japanese history, pine trees, plum trees, and bamboo, have been favorite subjects of auspicious stories, arts, and rituals. This design appeared frequently on porcelain made during the Edo era and its use spread to nearly all Japanese ceramic centers during the Meiji era. Sho Chiku Bai is not a direct translation of pine, plum, and bamboo (matsu, ume, and take in Japanese) but is rather the Chinese pronunciation of the Kanji characters, a fact that highlights the ongoing and reciprocal exchange between Chinese and Japanese potters.

Provenance: private Kihei, Hawaii, USA collection, acquired June 23, 1985; ex-Odawara Shoten, Inc., Tokyo, Japan

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#187861

  • Condition: Plate has unidentified maker's mark on underside of base. A few miniscule imperfections throughout, but otherwise, all 3 are intact and in choice condition.

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September 29, 2024 10:00 AM MDT
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$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000