A pair of Japanese porcelain Imari vases and covers, 19th...

of octagonal form, decorated in enamels and gilding on an iron-red ground with variously shaped panels depicting coiled dragons, ho-o amongst clouds and trees issuing from rockwork, between underglaze-blue borders with trellis and foliate panels, the domed covers similarly decorated, the covers with gilt finials in the form of a mythical beast

height 72cm high; 28 3/8 in.

Condition Report:
In good decorative order with typical minor wear/flaking to enamels and gilding throughout, consistent with age. In further detail:

Both vases in overall good order.
One vase with 3cm. long, narrow flat chip to the upper rim of the neck, and two small 1 cm flat chips to the neck, one on the interior, the other on the exterior, none of which are easily visible when the cover is in place. On the body, some small flaking to the buds of the flowers in the central cartouches.

The other vase with three flat chips along the inside rim of the neck, circa 1cm across each, and two small chips on the outside of the rim (less than 1cm wide). On the body, some small flaking to the buds of the flowers in the central cartouches. An area of glaze flaking (circa 1cm across) in the red enamel above the Ho-o.

One cover with traces of overpainting to the area of red enamel surrounding the finial, as well as to the blue enamel base of the finial and underside of the winged beast, as well as extensive lacquer spray to the interior of the cover, suggesting the finial may have been broken off at join with domed cover and well restored (its head, body and wings appear intact). There are some minor restored chips to the flange and to the underside of the rim.

The second cover with areas of overpainting to blue ground and gilding on a short section of the rim, probably to disguise an area of minor damage/chipping. There are areas of overpainting to the red enamel and to the blue ground at the base of the finial and across the winged beast. There is also clear lacquer to about half of the cover suggesting that the finial has been broken off and restored and that there may be further repaired cracks to the cover. The underside of the cover is sprayed on the interior. There are two fine cracks running around the flange on the underside and some minor restored chipping to the flange.