A rare Kakiemon dish depicting a pair of red dragons highlighted by gilding and turquoise enamels. and chasing flaming jewels, the centre with a dynamic swirling phoenix medallion
 
Arita kiln, Kakiemon workshop, Hizen province, Japan
Edo period, Enpo era (1673-1681) - Genroku era (1688-1703)
circa 1680-1700
 
MEASUREMENTS
14.5 cm diameter
 
CONDITION
In very good original condition with virtually no wear to the enamels. A very faint 2mm mark on the rim.
 
DESCRIPTION
The finely potted circular dish of brilliant white porcelain, with meticulously enamelled twin red dragons chasing flaming jewels. The centre with a dynamically rendered swirling red and gilded phoenix. The reverse undecorated, showcasing the pure white porcelain body.
 
The Meissen 'Red Dragon' Pattern which became famous in the first half of the eighteenth century was based on a late seventeenth century Japanese original such as the present example. The European copies of this pattern were first adapted for the Paris merchant, Rudolph Lemaire, who infamously plotted to pass off the copies produced at Meissen as the far more costly and sought after Japanese original. Ultimately, the Lemaire plot was uncovered and the Meissen copies that he ordered were confiscated by Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony, entering the inventory of the Japanese Palace Collection. Several years later, Augustus reserved the 'Red Dragon' pattern for the sole use of the his Court and in 1734, his successor Augustus III, chose the ‘Red Dragon’ pattern to decorate the first Dresden court service of Meissen porcelain. An iconic pattern.
 
STORAGE
With a traditional Japanese paulownia wood tomobako storage box and silk ribbon.