This is a beautiful example of a Japanese, Arita- Imari porcelain Dish or Plate with finely hand painted decoration, dating to the Edo period circa 1770 or possibly earlier.
 
This dish or plate is well potted in an octagonal shape with a raised rim edge.
 
This dish is very finely hand painted in great detail with a central octagonal panel showing a sea creature ( turtle) swimming among waves, surrounded by four further detailed panels and floral flower heads to the outer rim, in bold enamels of green, blue, burnt orange, red, aubergine and white with much hand gilded gold detail. The underside is also decorated in red and blue with circular panels having waves in red, alternating with leaf symbols. There is also a double ring in underglaze blue around the outer base rim. The principle feature of this piece is the very high quality, detailed hand painted decoration.
 
We date this piece to the Edo period of the 18th century, circa 1770 or earlier.
 
NOTES: ARITA WARE is a broad term for Japanese porcelain made in the area around the town of Arita, in the former Hizen Province, northwestern Kyushu island, Japan. Ceramics that were made in Arita was shipped out through Imari Port; hence the term Imari-Arita or Arita-Imari Ware.
Dimensions: 
Height: 1.38 in (3.51 cm)Diameter: 8.7 in (22.1 cm)
Condition:  One repaired Crack, very hard to see from front. Enamels bold & bright. Please see images for detail.