Imari-style tibor. China, made for export to Japan, 19th century. Hand-glazed porcelain. Provenance

Tibor in the Imari style. China, made for export to Japan, 19th century.
Hand enamelled porcelain.
Provenance: American private collection.
With original stamp on the base.
Measurements: 36 x 17 cm.
Tibor type vase (inverted ovoid body with neck) made of porcelain and richly decorated with Imari style enamels, with a profuse ornamentation that combines intricate vegetal designs, accompanied by a phoenix on the front, and cartouches with geometric patterns, in a free and asymmetrical mixture typical of Japanese art. The main characteristic of the Imari style is the use of underglaze cobalt-blue glaze, combined with other glazes over the glaze, mainly iron-red and gilding. When it also includes gilding, as seen here, it is called Imari Nishiki. Imari wares were produced in Japan from the third quarter of the 17th century until 1730-35, although there was a revival of the style in the 19th century. In decorative terms, Imari is very free, with compositions that occupy the entire space of the piece, generally asymmetrical, combining different motifs and cartouches of various shapes, as seen here.