### **A pair of Imari chargers depicting eagles**


**Circa 1700, Japan.**

**Diameter: 49 cm, 19.29 inches.**

The shallow charger is potted with a broad rim, the centre painted with two eagles; one perched on the branch of a flowering tree, the other attacking a passing bird in flight. The rim is decorated with a background design of scrolls and leaves in underglaze blue, over which chrysanthemum flower are painter in red, white and gold, between fan shaped panels with designs of ducks, cranes and doves, and scrolls and panels of plants and flowers. The palette is very much one of Imari enamels in black, green and red, with two shades of underglaze blue. The most remarkable aspect however in the magnificent condition of the gilded decoration, which has been applied richly and profusely over the whole design, as a background colour and for highlighting and detailing. The reverse painted with three separate sprigs of three flowering plants.

**Similar Examples**

'Porcelain for Palaces', by Ayers, Impey and Mallet, Oriental Ceramics Society 1990, figure 228\\. This pair of vases are decorated with eagles amongst trees.