Preliminary identification
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Overview
A striking Japanese porcelain charger featuring a whimsical relief design of two white rabbits under a deep cobalt blue sky. The composition is richly accented with underglaze blue, overglaze iron-red enamels, and delicate hand-painted gold detailing depicting stylized clouds and floral motifs.
Story
Japanese folklore associates rabbits with the moon, where they are said to mix the ingredients for mochi rice cakes. This charming charger captures that celestial whimsy, turning a simple animal motif into a poetic, starry-night narrative.
Maker / Origin
While unsigned, this piece comes from the historic kilns of Arita, the cradle of Japanese porcelain. During the late Meiji and Taisho eras, local workshops blended traditional Edo-period motifs with a bold, modern sense of graphic design to appeal to both domestic collectors and international markets.
Condition & Value
The photos show a small chip on the outer rim and noticeable crazing/hairline cracks running through the white glaze of the rabbits and on the reverse side. These structural flaws reduce the potential value by approximately 40-50% compared to a mint-condition example.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.