Japanese Porcelain Ruffled Rim Vase

This antique Japanese Imari porcelain vase dates from the Meiji period (circa 1880) and showcases an exquisite asymmetrical decorative design. Crafted in a classic baluster form, its most distinctive feature is a dramatic, deeply flared, and ruffled top rim lined with delicate gold gilt. The hand-painted exterior is divided into contrasting scenes: one side features a rich composition of deep underglaze cobalt blue foliage and an exotic bird, while the reverse shifts to a lighter layout of brightly enamelled chrysanthemums, orange plum blossoms, and green leaves. The wide, wavy interior of the neck opens to reveal continuous hand-painted blue floral sprays, while the unglazed base shows authentic shelf wear and kiln pinpricks characteristic of late 19th-century wood-fired production