Two similar, but slightly different Imari Ware Decorative Plates. Blue, Red, Green, White with drawings of Japanese peacock, oriental scenery & flowers. Rare Chinese export for Middle Eastern and Northern African markets, Moroccan in particular. Imari ware (Japanese: 万里焼, Hepburn: Imari-yaki) is a Western term for a brightly-coloured style of Arita ware (有田焼, Arita-yaki) Japanese export porcelain made in the area of Arita, in the former Hizen Province, northwestern Kyūshū. They were exported to Europe in large quantities, especially between the second half of the 17th century and the first half of the 18th century. Typically Imari ware (in the English use of the term) is decorated in underglaze blue, with red, gold, black for outlines, and sometimes other colours, added in overglaze. In the most characteristic floral designs most of the surface is coloured, with "a tendency to overdecoration that leads to fussiness". The style was so successful that Chinese and European producers began to copy it. Very nice decorative plates, measuring approx. 16cm/6-3/8" in diameter. No chips, cracks, or repairs.
