Imari Charger Value Guide

This 19th-century Japanese Imari charger is a masterpiece of export porcelain, characterized by its vibrant palette of underglaze blue and overglaze iron-red. These large decorative plates are highly collectible due to their intricate hand-painted scenes and the historical significance of the Arita kilns from which they originated.

What Is Imari Charger Worth?

The typical price range for Imari Charger is $350 - $450 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence and preservation of the gold gilt detailing significantly impacts the $350-$450 price range.
• Overall diameter and scale, as larger chargers are generally more desirable for wall displays and command higher premiums.
• Condition of the porcelain, specifically looking for hairline fractures, rim chips, or fading of the overglaze enamels.
• Complexity of the central scene, with figurative or mythological depictions often fetching more than simple floral patterns.

How to Identify Imari Charger?

• Look for the classic 'Kinrande' style featuring a dense composition of underglaze blue, overglaze red, and heavy gold gilt.
• Examine the underside for a slightly blue-grey tint to the glaze and characteristic spur marks from the kiln firing process.
• Verify hand-painted details by checking for slight variations in brushstroke thickness and the physical texture of the enamel paints.
• Distinguish Japanese examples from Chinese imitations by the specific shade of 'Imari red' and the presence of more asymmetrical floral motifs.

History of Imari Charger

Imari porcelain, named after the Japanese port from which it was shipped, became highly popular in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. Its distinctive palette of underglaze blue, overglaze red, gold, and sometimes green and purple, was particularly prized. While originally Japanese, Chinese kilns also produced wares in the Imari style for export, often leading to confusion between the two.