A large Imari charger

Early 18th century, Japan

Diameter: 57.5cm, 22.64 inches

The inside flat base is painted with a lady dressed in a kimono before an open screen and behind a floor screen on stand, all on a terrace with flowering peonies in the background. The broad upward flaring rim is painted with a twice repeated scene of ladies in full kimono costume either side of a cart filled with an abundance of flowers, and beside an open paper screen and floor screen on stand, the latter echoing the central scene.

The reverse with a band of flower sprigs, chrysanthemums, plum and camellia. The glazed base with the characteristic spur marks associated with Japanese porcelain manufacture, anda central peach sprig. The design painted in under glaze blue with over glaze red, black, green and gold against a white ground.