Cherry Blossom Motif Appraisal

Japanese Imari-Style Porcelain Bowl with Cherry Blossom Motif

This item is a Japanese Imari-style porcelain bowl, characterized by its vibrant and intricate hand-painted decoration. The dominant color scheme features a striking persimmon or brick-red background, liberally adorned with white and pale yellow cherry blossoms (sakura) and green leaves. The blossoms are rendered with delicate detail, showcasing individual petals and stamens, creating a sense of depth and naturalism against the bold red ground. The bowl appears to be circular with a raised footring, evident from the underside visible in the image. The interior of the footring is unglazed but clean, suggesting good care. The visible base of the bowl, within the footring, is a creamy off-white color and features red calligraphic markings, likely a maker's mark or reign mark, which are inverted in the current image orientation but appear to be in traditional Chinese characters often used in Japanese porcelain to denote the period or kiln. These markings are a crucial detail for attributing the piece. The rim of the footring itself shows some minor discoloration or dirt, indicating age and handling, but no significant chips or cracks are immediately apparent. The craftsmanship appears to be of high quality, typical of Imari ware, known for its detailed polychrome enameling. The bowl exhibits a glossy glaze over the painted surfaces, which is characteristic of such porcelain. Based on the style and general appearance, it likely dates from the Meiji period (1868-1912) or early 20th century, a time when Imari ware was highly popular for export and domestic use. The red and white palette with floral motifs is a classic Imari design element.