Imari Bowl with Dragon Design

A dominant central image of a coiling dragon chasing a flaming pearl is surrounded by smaller panels depicting other auspicious creatures. Abstract phoenixes with alternating red and blue-green backgrounds circle the dragon. Sharing the outer cavetto (the sloping section of a bowl) are larger panels with cranes and pines, both symbols of longevity, and stylized, dog-like guardian lions, today known in Japan as komainu 狛犬.

Imari ware (imariyaki 伊万里焼) is named after the port city that exported wares made at the nearby Arita kilns on Kyūshū, the southernmost of the four main islands of Japan. Kaolin clay is required for porcelain production, and northwestern Kyūshū was the source for the earliest known kaolin clay deposits in Japan. Many of Japan’s most famous porcelains were made in the area. Although Imari ware is found in a variety of types, this 19th century example follows the earliest 17th century style of decoration, which in turn followed Chinese models. The blue comes from cobalt oxide painted on the clay, covered with a transparent glaze and fired at a high temperature. The red, green, and gold colors are overglaze enamels, painted on top of the first glaze and fired at a lower temperature.