Skip to main content
Curiosa
Sign InTry a scan

Meiji Period Arita Reticulated Porcelain Plate

Japanese Arita porcelain plate with reticulated rim and hand-painted cockerel motif, Meiji period mark on reverse. - view 1
1/3

Estimated value

$250 - $550

Rarity

Uncommon(5/10)

Era

circa 1880-1900

Origin

🇯🇵 Japan

Authenticity

Very High(85%)
38

MEIJI PERIOD ARITA RETICULATED PORCELAIN PLATE: IDENTIFICATION

A Japanese porcelain plate featuring a hand-painted scene of a cockerel and hen amidst bamboo, chrysanthemums, and peonies. The rim displays intricate reticulated or openwork 'lattice' carving, finished with turquoise and gold overglaze enamels. The central motif is executed in the Famille Verte palette, characterized by iron-red, copper-green, and manganese-purple tones common in Arita export wares of the late 19th century.

Compare with other ceramic pieces in the archive: Alabaster Urn-Shaped Vase, Han Dynasty Style Glazed Ceramic Boar Figurine, Chinese Blue and White 'Three Friends of Winter' Stem Cup, Ming Style.

PRODUCTION & FIRING

Produced during the Meiji Period (1868-1912), this plate represents the height of Japanese export porcelain intended for Western markets. The iron-red six-character mark on the reverse reads 'Dai Nippon Hizen Arita Shinpo Zo' (Great Japan, Hizen [Province], Arita, Made by Shinpo), identifying the ...
Produced during the Meiji Period (1868-1912), this plate represents the height of Japanese export porcelain intended for Western markets. The iron-red six-character mark on the reverse reads 'Dai Nippon Hizen Arita Shinpo Zo' (Great Japan, Hizen [Province], Arita, Made by Shinpo), identifying the specific workshop or merchant in the Arita region known for fine porcelain production following the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition.

COLLECTOR NOTES

1

Arita porcelain makers shifted from blue-and-white to these multifaceted enamel colors to compete with Chinese Canton and Sèvres porcelain at the 1889 Paris World's Fair.

SCARCITY

Uncommon70-80%
CommonLegendary

Genuine antiques with fewer examples on the market. Named makers, documented provenance, or early production examples.

Rarity 5/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 21 ceramics items at rarity 5 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Limited production
  • Named makers
  • Growing collector demand

Confidence Factors

  • Standard Meiji-era hanko mark consistent with known Shinpo workshop signatures
  • Authentic kiln characteristics on the footrim including appropriate oxidation
  • Enamel palette and gilding techniques align perfectly with late 19th-century Arita production
How does authenticity detection work?

CERAMICIST'S ASSESSMENT

Ceramics Historian & Kiln Specialist

Ceramics Expert

The mark is clearly legible and consistent with period examples, and the visual evidence of the paste and enamel quality is definitive for the Meiji period.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Reticulated lattice rim is a hallmark of high-end Arita export ware.
  • 2The 6-character mark 'Dai Nippon Hizen Arita Shinpo Zo' confirms late 19th-century manufacture.
  • 3Oxidized orange-brown line at the footrim interface is characteristic of high-fire Arita kilns.
  • 4Presence of copper-green and iron-red overglaze enamels used in the Philadelphia-style palette.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Perform a 'ping' test to ensure there are no hidden internal cracks in the lattice.
  • →Examine under 10x magnification for any 'over-painting' or later restoration to the openwork segments.

CONDITION & GRADE

Excellent (Near Mint)

Grading breakdown

Exceptional preservation of the delicate lattice work; missing no segments of the openwork rim, which is the primary site of damage for this form.

Condition

The footrim shows characteristic unglazed orange-tinted oxidation from the kiln fire. Minor gilding wear is visible on the scalloped edges, and the enamel remains vibrant with no visible hairline cracks or significant crazing.

CERAMICS MARKET VALUE

$250 - $550

Updated: May 11, 2026

Who buys this

Specialist collectors of Japanese Meiji export art and Arita porcelain connoisseurs.

What increases value

  • •Integrity of the reticulated rim (any breaks significantly lower value)
  • •Clarity and completeness of the maker's mark
  • •Quality of the bird and floral painting

What lowers value

  • •Unseen hairline cracks in the delicate openwork
  • •Loss of gilding on the scalloped edges
  • •Modern reproductions which lack the kiln oxidation on the foot

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Fine hand-painted detail in the bird's plumage
  • •Multi-colored enameling on the reticulated sections
  • •Presence of a known workshop signature like Shinpo

Grade & condition

Completeness of reticulation, degree of gilt loss, and vibrancy of overglaze enamels.

Rarity & demand

UncommonModerate demandModerate liquidity
Browse similar ceramics objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

BR

bruinsma
The Connoisseur•59 items

COMMENTS

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Sign in to leave a comment

ABOUT CERAMICS & POTTERY

Pottery, porcelain, stoneware, earthenware, and kiln-fired objects.

Ceramics & Pottery value and rarity guide

SHARE THIS CURIOSITY

Have your own curiosities to discover?

Scan Your Curiosity