A large Imari vase, Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912), porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze and iron red onglaze painting and gold paint, the body widening towards the top and a clearly defined neck on the broad shoulder with gold decorated knob lid, on the neck lotus, peony and plum blossom branches, the body under flower decorated cloud head brackets embossed with cheerful play of phoenixes and unicorns (jap. kirin) between peony and chrysanthemum blossoms, towards the foot decorative bands with Buddhist lucky knots and lozenges, almost perfect condition, 67x26cm