Enamel Phoenix Plate Appraisal

Japanese Meiji Style Gilt and Enamel Phoenix Porcelain Plate

This decorative porcelain plate features a high-quality hand-painted scene depicting two phoenixes or mythical birds of paradise perched on a stylized flowering branch. The piece is crafted from fine white porcelain with a slightly translucent quality. The color palette is sophisticated, utilizing soft pastel pinks, greens, and lavenders, heavily accented with raised gilt (gold) scrollwork and textured feathered detailing. The rim is finished with a thin, continuous gold band. The style is characteristic of late 19th-century Meiji period or early 20th-century Taisho period export ware from Japan, such as Satsuma or Kutani styles, though adapted for a flat porcelain surface. The feathers are rendered with fine, rhythmic gold lines, demonstrating high-level craftsmanship. Condition-wise, there appears to be visible surface debris or minor staining near the center, along with slight rubbing to the gilt edges consistent with age and handling. The overall aesthetic combines traditional East Asian motifs with a delicacy intended for international markets. The back is likely marked with a kiln signature or stamp, though it is not visible here.