Imari: Japanese Porcelain with Bold Polychrome Decoration
Imari is the Western trade name for Japanese porcelain produced in the Arita region of Kyushu and exported through the port of Imari from the mid-17th century onward. Characterized by its bold palette of underglaze cobalt blue, overglaze iron red, and gold gilding, Imari porcelain became enormously popular in Europe after the Dutch East India Company began importing it in the 1650s. The Imari style was so influential that it was copied by Chinese potters at Jingdezhen and by virtually every major European porcelain factory, from Meissen to Derby to Samson.
Identification and Types
Imari porcelain encompasses several distinct decorative styles:
- Ko-Imari (Old Imari): The earliest export wares (1650s-1750s), featuring the classic blue, red, and gold palette with dense, all-over decoration of flowers, phoenixes, and landscape panels
- Kakiemon style: A related Arita production with a more refined, asymmetric aesthetic, sparse decoration on a milk-white body (nigoshide), and a distinctive palette including turquoise, yellow, and blue
- Nabeshima: The finest Arita production, made for the feudal lord's exclusive use; precise, formal designs with a distinctive comb-tooth pattern on the foot
- Kinrande: Heavily gilded wares with gold applied over red and blue
- Late Imari (Meiji era, 1868-1912): Mass-produced export ware, often in large decorative forms, technically accomplished but less artistic than earlier production
Marks and Attribution
Early Imari rarely bears factory marks. Some pieces carry Chinese-style reign marks (often fuku marks meaning "happiness") as decorative elements rather than true indicators of origin. Meiji-era pieces may be marked "Japan" or carry specific kiln marks. Chinese Imari copies can be distinguished by differences in body color, glaze texture, and painting style. European copies by Meissen, Derby, Worcester, and Samson bear their respective factory marks.
Auction Price Ranges
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Kakiemon figures and vessels (17th-18th century) | $5,000 - $200,000+ |
| Nabeshima dishes (fine examples) | $3,000 - $80,000 |
| Ko-Imari chargers and large vessels | $1,000 - $20,000 |
| Standard Edo-period Imari (plates, bowls) | $200 - $2,000 |
| Chinese Imari (18th century) | $200 - $3,000 |
| Meiji-era large vases and chargers | $300 - $5,000 |
| Meiji-era standard production | $50 - $500 |
| European Imari-style porcelain | $100 - $2,000 |
Condition Factors
Chips to the rim of plates and chargers are common and reduce value, though minor fritting (tiny flakes) is accepted on early pieces. Hairline cracks are more serious and can reduce value by 50% or more. The gilding should be original; re-gilded pieces are less desirable. On early pieces, kiln imperfections such as grit adhesion, warping, and glaze crawling are expected characteristics of period production. Examine the foot ring for signs of age-appropriate wear. Meiji-era pieces should have crisp, well-applied enamels without flaking.
Collecting Tips
The Imari market divides sharply between early Edo-period pieces (pre-1800) and later Meiji-era export ware. Early pieces, particularly Kakiemon and Nabeshima, are among the most expensive Japanese ceramics at auction and have strong institutional demand. Ko-Imari in the classic blue-red-gold palette offers beautiful decorative impact at more accessible prices. Chinese Imari, produced at Jingdezhen primarily during the Kangxi period (1662-1722) to compete with Japanese exports, is a collecting category in its own right. Meiji vases and chargers, while later in date, provide impressive scale and decoration for display. Learn to distinguish Japanese, Chinese, and European versions, as attribution directly affects value. Handle as many authenticated pieces as possible to develop a feel for the differences in body, glaze, and painting between the various origins.