Set Imari tea bowls with saucers - Qianlong Chinese porcelain (4-piece)

Description

Early Imari class with sparkling red-gold: set of four tea bowls with saucers from the Qianlong period.

This elegant set embodies the beloved Imari-style: iron red, cobalt blue and gold in vibrant floral and spare decor, executed on fine Chinese export porcelain for the European market in the 18th century. The combination of matching bowls and saucers makes this a striking ensemble for the display case or thematic Imari presentation. The painting shows nice contrasts between full colour areas and white cut-out cartouches, exactly what collectors in Qianlong-Imari appreciate.

Origin & meaning. Imari is named after the Japanese export port, but in the 18th century, Chinese workshops adopted the popular red-blue-gold aesthetic for export to Europe. Such sets allude to the rise of tea culture and table fashion in the Age of Enlightenment and are coveted today for their warm luster and decorative power.

Dimensions. Bowls: Ø 7.5 cm, h. 4 cm. Saucers: Ø 12 cm, h. 2.5 cm.