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Dear Friends,

I am seeking to learn more about this bowl-my first purchase of what I believe to be Imari.

Imari bowl decorated in under glaze blue (stenciled) as well as various over glaze colors and gold (hand painted). The piece measures approximately 9 1/2" across, and 4 3/8" tall.

I hope I described the bowl correctly. Is this a rice bowl? How would I describe the shape of the rim-fluted or floral? Does the heavy use of gold indicate 20th century for foreign markets? How might you describe the decoration and coloring? And finally, would someone kindly translate the signature?

More photos for your review.

Mark reads: Da Ming Chenghua Nian Zhi, this is a common mark found on Imari / Arita porcelain. The mark is not an indication of age. Dating Imari is not my thing, but, I would put this in the 20th c., Greg

Thanks Greg for the translation. I would like to add that the gold on the rim has wear.

I received this bowl and it looks brand new. The bowl was misrepresented as being older than it was. There was no wear on the rim as seller described.

Are you sure the blue paint is stenciled? The mark and the rimlines looks handpainted to me (as far as I can see on the pictures). The part in the middle (inside) is a little far but lookes also okay fom this distance. I don't know what you mean with "brandnew" but if one of the experts here told me it is of Taisho periode I wouldn't have a problem with that. I also think it has a starcrack on the bottom (near the Chen-mark)so "brandnew" ..... I don't think so.

Arjan

I don't think this bowl is brand new either, granted I am not seeing wear on the decoration, but it does appear there is some foot wear, I still believe this is 20th c. but not "brand new"....Greg

Thanks for your astute observations. There is indeed a star crack on the bottom that I had not noticed. What would have caused such a crack? I believe you are correct about the hand painting, but I thought things were hand painted even today to resemble older pieces. A quarter inch of the rim is without glaze right where the beveled edge starts. The unglazed porcelain looks spotted.

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