Two dishes on footring, spreading sides and rim, upturned edge. On the base six spur-marks. Imari, decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red, various shades of green, yellow and gold with banana plants and a flowering cherry tree near a fence. This is enclosed by a band with blossoming cherry sprays. On the sides an undulating foliate spray in dark blue surrounded by peonies and chrysanthemums. On the narrow rim chrysanthemums and four panels with chrysanthemums alternating with cherry blossoms. On the reverse scrolls with chrysanthemums. On the base a band with three scrolls in red. Imari, developed from the early enamel group, was a remarkably popular type of export porcelain from c. 1689. It is characterised by a basic combination of underglaze blue with iron-red and gold. More richly decorated pieces such as these bowls were embellished with other enamel colours, including black, yellow and green. Apparently, the often dense Imari decoration fitted perfectly into the baroque Dutch interior. It was imitated in China from the beginning of the 18th century (cat. XX{}). The colour scheme and representations were frequently copied on 18th-century European porcelain and earthenware....