Hi Sarah,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Japanese Imari ware refers broadly to porcelain originally made around Arita, Japan (mostly 17th–19th century), shipped from the port of Imari—hence the name. The term today is also used for later Japanese export porcelain and Western “Imari-style” ceramics (such as by Derby, Worcester, Minton, Coalport, Royal Crown Derby, etc.).

Authentic Japanese Imari typically features a palette of iron red and cobalt blue and gilt on a white porcelain body, densely decorated with (often asymmetrical) stylized flowers, peonies, chrysanthemums; phoenix; dragons; diaper patterns; panels of landscapes/figures. Divided panels usually radiate from a central medallion or alternating roundels and floral fields.

Unlike potteries such as Noritake that created different "named" patterns, the various potteries in Japan that made Imari-ware did not identify them by names. So porcelains in a broad variety of patterns can be called "Imari-ware" based on the palette and the fact that they were made for export out of the Port of Imari.

This is probably early 20th Century

It's rare for Imari tureens to survive with their underplates - they were usually separated - without their underplates, they usually bring less than $300 at auction but with it, this would be worth $400-600 at auction.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique Imari ware porcelain tureen with cover and underplate
made in Japan for export, early 20th Century
Of oval section, with domed cover (marked underneath), stylized branch-form handles and pronounced foot, on its matching undertray.
Tureen: 12 inches high by 16 inches wide
Underplate: 10 inches deep
CONDITION: This appears to be in good condition and retains its original underplate.
PROVENANCE: Found in a flea market.
$400-600*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia