Antique Japanese 1800'S Ceramic Imari Bowl Blue & White Crane Turtle Rabbit 11"

This is an unusual antique late Edo Era (1860's) Japanese Imari ceramic hexagonal plate with all hand painted designs and signed. The design features Japanese cranes and sea turtles in the corners and a plumb rabbit with a bird cage in the plate's center. The edges also feature the very auspicious combination of plum blossoms, bamboo and pine needles

This bowl measures 11" from point to point by 1 1/2" tall (28 x 4 cm). After spending most of at least the past 100 years in storage this bowl remains in very fine condition. There are dark sots on the surface that date back to the very moment that this was fired in the kiln where ash or other material settled on the plate. This helps date the imari to a time when all kilns were wood fired, being stoked for days on end to achieve and maintain the right high temperature.